Tie supporting, anchoring and/or securing apparatuses or devices and methods of using same

ABSTRACT

Tie supporting, anchoring and/or securing apparatuses or devices, and methods of using same, are provided. The apparatuses or devices include a buttress element operating to hold and/or support at least a portion of a tie, thereby preventing the loosening, shifting, etc. of that portion of the tie. The apparatuses or devices may further include at least one of a body or flex frame and a cinch mechanism, which extend(s) from the buttress element, and that operate(s) to lock and unlock a portion of a tie therein, thereby preventing the shifting, changing, moving, etc. of the tie. The flex frame may be opened by pinching or applying a force thereto and closed by releasing or removing the force applied thereto. The cinch mechanism may be opened by aligning holes thereof and closed or locked by misaligning holes thereof. The cinch mechanism may be integrated with a portion of the buttress element.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of supporting, anchoringand/or securing devices, and, more particularly, to tie supporting,anchoring and/or securing apparatuses or devices, including tiepositioning devices, providing support to a tie, operating to keep a tiein position and/or preventing loosening, shifting, moving etc. of thetie from a predetermined or rest position and methods of using same.Such tie anchoring and/or securing devices provide consistency andreliability to tie placement while a user of the tie wears, installsand/or removes same, particularly where the tie(s) would shift, loosen,move, etc. without use of the one or more tie anchoring and/or securingapparatuses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The tie, and especially a knot tie (also referred to here as a“necktie”; various types of knots may be used, such as, but not limitedto, the four-in-hand knot, the Windsor knot, half-Windsor knot, thePratt or Shelby knot, etc.) having a thinner or short (back) end and athicker or longer (front) end, a bow tie, a Bolo tie, a cravat orneckband, ascot or other type(s) of ties having material (such as cloth)worn around the neck of a user (e.g., for decorative purposes), has beena garment(s) worn by many persons for hundreds of years or longer. Thenecktie and bow ties are particularly popular types of ties worn by manyusers, especially as such ties often form a part of regular office, workor formal wear. Typically, such ties are worn without any type ofsupport or securing assistance beyond that which the ties provide due totheir structural attributes. Typically, ties are worn for a particularfashion look and/or feel, and often times provide various types ofdecorations, designs, appliqués, etc. thereon. As such, users oftenprefer that ties do not shift, loosen, move or otherwise become out ofplace after the initial placement of such ties.

Unfortunately, constant problems users encounter with ties of varioustypes is that such ties often loosen, shift, move, swing or otherwisebecome out of place from the original, predetermined, rest position inwhich the user places the tie for wearing. When one or more of theseproblems occur, the user may appear disheveled, unkempt,anti-symmetrical (and therefore lack uniformity in appearance), andmessy. While tie clips have been developed over the years, such tieclips are deficient because they fail to prevent the tie from looseningwhile also keeping the tie in place.

Thus, it would therefore be desirable to provide one or more apparatusesor devices that provide support to a tie, operate to keep a tie inposition and/or prevent loosening, shifting, moving etc. of the tie froma predetermined or rest position and one or more methods of using same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, tiesupporting, anchoring and/or securing apparatuses or devices forproviding support to a tie, operating to keep a tie in position and/orpreventing the loosening, shifting, moving etc. of the tie from apredetermined or rest position, and methods of using the tie supporting,anchoring and/or securing apparatuses or devices are provided.

The one or more tie supporting, anchoring and/or securing apparatuses ordevices may be placed on one or more types of ties (see e.g., severaltypes of ties discussed above) after a predetermined type of tie is inposition. While various types of tie supporting, anchoring and/orsecuring apparatuses or devices are disclosed herein, preferably a userselects one of the tie supporting, anchoring and/or securing apparatusesor devices for use with a particular, predetermined type of tie. Thatsaid, the tie supporting, anchoring and/or securing apparatuses ordevices may be interchangeable for the one or more types of ties asdiscussed herein.

Preferably, the selected apparatus or device is disposed on a first side(e.g., a backside where, in at least one embodiment, the front side of atie may be one or more sides of the tie facing away from the user andthe backside of the tie may be one or more sides of the tie facingtowards the user and/or located between the user and the front side ofthe tie) portion of a tie knot (or other predetermined tie location) andprevents the knot (or other tie portion) from slipping downwards or fromotherwise coming undone. The apparatus or device may be disposed in aback, middle (e.g., between both cloth portions (e.g., the thinner orshort (or back) end and the thicker or longer (front) end) of the tie)or front portion of a tie. Preferably, tie movement is prevented using a“U” or “V” shaped or substantially “U” or “V” shaped buttress element,which is disposed on the tie such that one or more portions of the knotor tie rest in the buttress element. The device may include metal,plastic or other material that provides the structural attributesdiscussed herein.

A tie securing, anchoring and/or supporting apparatus may include: abody or flex frame having a first portion with first and second endsthereof and a second portion with first and second ends thereof, thefirst end of the first portion being connected to the first end of thesecond portion, the second end of the first portion operating to bereleasably or permanently connected to the second end of the secondportion, and the first and second portions being sized and shaped todefine a hole or a zone of space therebetween, the hole or zone of spaceof the body or flex frame operating to be widened and/or opened toreceive a portion of a tie therein and to be narrowed and/or closed tohold the portion of the tie therein, and a buttress element connected toand extending from the body or flex frame, the buttress element having afirst portion and a second portion, at least one of the first portion ofthe buttress element and the second portion of the buttress elementextending from the body or flex frame, the first and second portionsbeing sized and shaped to define a zone of space therebetween andoperating to receive and hold at least a portion of a tie therein,wherein the first and second portions of the body or flex frame arespringingly biased towards each other.

The apparatus may operate to at least one of: keep the tie in positionand prevent at least one of: loosening of the tie, shifting of the tie,and moving of the tie; prevent a knot of the tie from loosening,slipping, and/or becoming undone; and be installed or placed on the tieafter the tie is placed in a predetermined position on a user. Theapparatus may be disposed, or substantially disposed, on a first portionof the tie, wherein the first portion includes at least one of: a knot;a front portion or side; a middle portion; a back portion or side; abackside portion where the front side of a tie may be one or more sidesof the tie facing away from the user and the backside of the tie may beone or more sides of the tie facing towards the user and/or locatedbetween the user and the front side of the tie; a smaller portion of thetie as compared to other portions of the tie; a larger portion of thetie as compared to other portions of the tie; and a portion of the tielocated between both cloth portions of the tie. The apparatus mayinclude a cinch mechanism having at least a first hole and a secondhole, the cinch mechanism operating to: (i) align and misalign the firstand second holes thereof; (ii) further secure, anchor and/or support theportion of the tie disposed in, and extending through, the first andsecond holes when the first and second holes are misaligned; and (ii)insert the portion of the tie into and through the first and secondholes, and/or release the portion of the tie disposed in, and extendingthrough, the first and second holes when the at least first and secondholes are aligned. The apparatus may further include a pin and pinreceptacle to further anchor, secure, support and/or grip the tie,wherein the pin operates to pierce and grip a portion of the tie.

The buttress element may be (i) built into, made integral with, and/orpermanently connected to the body or flex frame; or (ii) releasablyconnectable to the body or flex frame. The buttress element and the bodyor flex frame may at least one of: (i) operate to be connected to eachother for use and then disconnected from each other after use, duringmanufacturing, for storage, and/or for shipment; and (ii) be connectedby at least one of: gluing, welding, press-fitting, riveting, bonding,fusing, adhering, molding, clamping, screwing, latching, andfriction-fitting. The buttress element may include at least one clip orclasp or other connecting means connected to, and extending from, a baseof the buttress element or a base of at least one of the first portionand the second portion of the buttress element, the at least one clip orclasp or other connecting means operating to releasably connect thebuttress element to the body or flex frame. The other connecting meansmay include at least one of another clip, another clasp, at least onescrew, and at least one hook.

The body or flex frame may be at least one of: sized and shaped tooperate to receive and hold a portion of the tie in the hole or zone ofspace thereof; sized and shaped to operate to receive and hold a portionof the tie therein; substantially O or 0 shaped; substantially O or 0shaped, thereby defining the hole or the zone of space, such that anyportion of the tie disposed therein is encompassed by the body or flexframe; opened and/or widened when a force or a pressure is appliedagainst the ends of the first and second portions, thereby openingand/or widening the hole or the zone of space of the body or flex frame;opened and/or widened when a force or a pressure is applied against theends of the first and second portions, thereby opening and/or wideningthe hole or the zone of space of the body or flex frame, wherein theforce or the pressure is minimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selectedamount; closed and/or narrowed when the force or the pressure is removedfrom the ends of the first and second portions, thereby closing and/ornarrowing the hole or the zone of space of the body or flex frame; andclosed and/or narrowed when the force or the pressure is removed fromthe ends of the first and second portions, thereby closing and/ornarrowing the hole or the zone of space of the body or flex frame, suchthat the body or flex frame operates to return to its original, at-restposition, orientation and/or configuration, thereby having a resilientelasticity. The body or flex frame may further include at least one of:a clip; a clip that is U, V, C, (and/or ) shaped and/or substantially U,V, C, (and/or ) shaped; a component having a spring-like bias; and atleast two components that are springingly biased towards each other.

The springing bias of the first and second portions of the body or flexframe may be defined and provided by the size and shape of the first andsecond portions of the body or flex frame. The springing bias of thefirst and second portions of the body or flex frame may be modifiable bychanging the size and/or shape of the first and second portions of thebody or flex frame. The first and second portions of the body or flexframe may be at least one of: U, V, C, (and/or) shaped and/orsubstantially U, V, C, (and/or ) shaped; connected to each other;positioned and/or connected to each other such that the connected firstand second portions have a shape that is at least one of ] [, > < and )(; oriented and/or connected to each other such that each has respectivefirst or inside surfaces and second or outside surfaces; the first andsecond portions of the body or flex frame are built into, made integralwith, and/or permanently connected to each other or are releasablyconnected to each other via one or more releasable connection means; thefirst and second portions of the body or flex frame have the same orsubstantially the same width, height and length or have at least one ofthe width, height and length thereof being different; and the first andsecond portions of the body or flex frame extend along, substantiallyalong, substantially parallel to, and/or parallel to a longitudinal axisextending through the apparatus. When the body or flex frame is in itsoriginal, at-rest position, orientation and/or configuration, the bodyor flex frame may operate, and, therefore, the first and second portionsof the flex frame may operate, to grip and hold the tie and/or a portionof the tie in a preselected, predetermined position, orientation and/orconfiguration. The first or inside surfaces of the first and secondportions of the body or flex frame may substantially face each other.The first or inside surfaces of the first and second portions of thebody or flex frame may define the hole or the zone of spacetherebetween. The second or outside surfaces of the first and secondportions of the body or flex frame may substantially face away from eachother. The second or outside surfaces of the first and second portionsof the body or flex frame may define a perimeter of the body or flexframe. When the body or flex frame is in the original, at-rest position,orientation and/or configuration, the first or inside surfaces and atleast respective sections of the second or outside surfaces may beparallel or substantially parallel to each other. The body or flex framemay include at least one of one or more elevations, one or moredepressions, one or more protrusions, one or more hooks, one or moreconvex contours, one or more concave contours, one or more tapers, oneor more sloped surfaces, and one or more chamfered surfaces to bettergrip, support, anchor and/or secure the tie. The at least one of one ormore elevations, one or more depressions, one or more protrusions, oneor more hooks, one or more convex contours, one or more concavecontours, one or more tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one ormore chamfered surfaces may be located on at least one of: at least oneof the first or inside surfaces and at least one of the second oroutside surfaces. The releasable connection means may include at leastone of: one or more hinges, one or more pin-receptacle combinations andone or more latches.

The buttress element may have at least one of the following features:the buttress element operates to prevent movement of the tie and/or toprevent the knot of the tie from loosening; one or more portions of theknot of the tie and/or the tie rest and/or are disposed in the buttresselement; one or more portions of the knot of the tie and/or the tie restand/or are disposed in the zone of space between the first and secondportions of the buttress element; the buttress element is U or V shapedor substantially U or V shaped; the first and second portions of thebuttress element are connected directly or indirectly to the body orflex frame and are oriented such that the first and second portions ofthe buttress element define and form the U or V shape or the substantialU or V shape of the buttress element; the first and second portions ofthe buttress element are connected to each other and oriented such thatthe first and second portions of the buttress element define and formthe U or V shape or the substantial U or V shape of the buttresselement; the buttress element has one of the following geometric shapes:substantially circular, circular, substantially semi-circular,semi-circular, ovular, semi-ovular, point or pointed, conical,substantially conical, post-like, pillar-like, bar-like, spring-like andcoil-like; the buttress element extends from the body or flex framealong an axis that is a different axis than the longitudinal axis of,and/or extending through, the body or flex frame; the buttress element:(i) is perpendicular, transverse, substantially perpendicular and/orsubstantially transverse to the body or flex frame; or (ii) extends fromthe body or flex frame at any other predetermined, preselected angle,the predetermined, preselected angle being at least one of: 45 degrees,60 degrees, 30 degrees, anywhere in the range of about 20 degrees toabout 85 degrees; anywhere in the range of about 0 degrees to about 85degrees, and anywhere in the range of about 0 degrees to about 180degrees; the buttress element includes at least one of one or moreelevations, one or more depressions, one or more protrusions, one ormore hooks, one or more convex contours, one or more concave contours,one or more tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one or morechamfered surfaces to better grip, support, anchor and/or secure thetie; the first portion of the buttress element includes at least onecurved portion such that the first portion of the buttress elementextends from the second portion of the buttress element for apredetermined distance and then curves and continues to extend such thatthe remainder of the first portion of the buttress element is parallelor substantially parallel to the second portion of the buttress element;the first and second portions of the buttress element have the same orsubstantially the same width, height and length or have at least one ofthe width, height and length thereof being different; and the first andsecond portions of the buttress element are built into, made integralwith, and/or permanently connected to each other or are releasablyconnected to each other via one or more releasable connection means.

One or more embodiments of a tie securing, anchoring and/or supportingapparatus may include at least one of the following features: the bodyor flex frame further comprises a hinge on one end thereof and one ormore receptacles on the other end thereof; the first and second portionsof the body or flex frame are connected at at least one of the first andsecond ends thereof by the hinge; the other of the at least one of thefirst and second ends of the first and second portions of the body orflex frame operate to be releasably connected/disconnected by apin-receptacle combination including the one or more receptacles; thepin-receptacle combination comprises: (i) one or more receptaclesdisposed at the other of the at least one of the first and second endsof the first portion or the second portion of the body or flex frame;(ii) at least one receptacle disposed at the other of the at least oneof the first and second ends of the other of the first portion or thesecond portion of the body or flex frame; and (iii) a pin that operatesto be removably disposed in the one or more receptacles and the at leastone receptacle of the body or flex frame when all of the receptacles arealigned, thereby locking, and connecting together, the other of the atleast one of the first and second ends of the first and second portionsof the body or flex frame when the pin is located in the one or morereceptacles and the at least one receptacle of the body or flex frameand thereby unlocking the other of the at least one of the first andsecond ends of the first and second portions of the body or flex framewhen the pin is removed from the one or more receptacles and the atleast one receptacle of the body or flex frame; and the pin mates withthe one or more receptacles and the at least one receptacle of the bodyor flex frame to prevent piercing or injury to the user of theapparatus.

One or more embodiments of a tie securing, anchoring and/or supportingapparatus may further include at least one of the following features:the body or flex frame further comprises a magnet to magnet or magnet tometal combination that operates to further anchor the portion of theknot of the tie and/or the tie disposed in the body or flex frame; thefirst and second portions of the body or flex frame include materialthat is attracted to each other via one or more magnetic forces; a firstmagnet is disposed on, and/or connected to, the buttress element, and asecond magnet is disposed such that one or more portions of the tie arelocated between the magnets, thereby further anchoring, supportingand/or securing the tie therebetween; the first magnet is built into,made integral with, and/or permanently connected to the buttresselement, or is connected to the buttress element using at least one of:gluing, welding, press-fitting, riveting, bonding, fusing, adhering,molding, clamping, screwing, latching, and friction-fitting; and one ormore components of the apparatus are made of at least one of: plastic,clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood,wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a soft material, a material thatoperates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer,thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede,synthetics, a substantially resilient material, a hard or rigidmaterial, metal, magnetic material, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbonfiber, and fiber.

One or more other embodiments of a tie securing, anchoring and/orsupporting apparatus may include at least one of the following features:the body or flex frame further comprises a hinge on at least one endthereof that operates to hold together and connect at least one of thefirst and second ends of the first and second portions of the body orflex frame; the body or flex frame further comprises a magnet to magnetor magnet to metal combination that operates to at least one of: (i)hold the first portion and the second portion of the body or flex frametogether via one or more magnetic forces; (ii) connect directly and/orindirectly, and hold together, at least one of the first and second endsof the first and second portions of the body or flex frame via one ormore magnetic forces, thereby anchoring the portion of the knot of thetie and/or the tie disposed in the body or flex frame; (iii) be openedby the application of one or more forces or pressures to the first andsecond portions of the body or flex frame; and (iv) be opened by theapplication of one or more forces or pressures to the first and secondportions of the body or flex frame, wherein the one or more forces orpressures applied to the first portion of the body or flex frame and theone or more forces or pressures applied to the second portion of thebody or flex frame are applied in substantially opposite or oppositedirections; the first and second portions of the body or flex frameinclude material that is attracted to each other via one or moremagnetic forces; the first and second portions of the body or flex frameinclude material that is attracted to each other via one or moremagnetic forces while the first and second portions of the body or flexframe retain their respective resilient flexibility and spring-likebias; at least one of the first and second portions of the body or flexframe include at least one of a magnet, magnetic metal, metals that areattracted to magnets and metals that operate to act as one or moremagnets; a first magnet is disposed on, and/or connected to, thebuttress element, and a second magnet is disposed such that one or moreportions of the tie are located between the magnets, thereby furtheranchoring, supporting and/or securing the tie therebetween; the firstmagnet is built into, made integral with, and/or permanently connectedto the buttress element, or is connected to the buttress element usingat least one of: gluing, welding, press-fitting, riveting, bonding,fusing, adhering, molding, clamping, screwing, latching, andfriction-fitting; and one or more components of the apparatus are madeof at least one of: plastic, clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam,polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a softmaterial, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textilematerial, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric,vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, ahard or rigid material, metal, magnetic material,polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber.

Yet a further embodiment of a tie securing, anchoring and/or supportingapparatus, may include: a cinch mechanism having at least a first holeand at least a second hole, the at least first hole and the at leastsecond hole operating to align and misalign with each other such thatwhen the at least first hole and the at least second hole are aligned aportion of a tie may be disposed therethrough and/or removed therefromand when the at least first hole and the at least second hole aremisaligned the at least first hole and the at least second hole operateto hold the portion of the tie disposed therethrough, thereby securing,anchoring and/or supporting the portion of the tie; and a buttresselement connected to and extending from the cinch mechanism, thebuttress element having a first portion and a second portion, at leastone of the first and second portions extending from the cinch mechanism,the first and second portions being sized and shaped to define a zone ofspace therebetween and operating to receive and hold at least a portionof a tie therein.

The apparatus may operate to at least one of: keep the tie in positionand prevent at least one of: loosening of the tie, shifting of the tie,and moving of the tie; prevent a knot of the tie from loosening,slipping, and/or becoming undone; and be installed or placed on the tieafter the tie is placed in a predetermined position on a user. Theapparatus may be disposed, or substantially disposed, on a first portionof the tie, wherein the first portion includes at least one of: a knot;a front portion or side; a middle portion; a back portion or side; abackside portion where the front side of a tie may be one or more sidesof the tie facing away from the user and the backside of the tie may beone or more sides of the tie facing towards the user and/or locatedbetween the user and the front side of the tie; a smaller portion of thetie as compared to other portions of the tie; a larger portion of thetie as compared to other portions of the tie; and a portion of the tielocated between both cloth portions of the tie. The apparatus mayfurther comprise a pin and pin receptacle to further anchor, secure,support and/or grip the tie, wherein the pin operates to pierce and gripa portion of the tie.

The further embodiment of an apparatus may at least one of the followingfeatures: have the buttress element: (i) be built into, made integralwith, and/or permanently connected to the cinch mechanism; (ii) bereleasably connectable to the cinch mechanism, or (iii) have at leastone portion that is built into, made integral with, and/or permanentlyconnected to the cinch mechanism and at least another portion that isreleasably connectable to the cinch mechanism; have the buttress elementand the cinch mechanism operate to be connected to each other for useand then disconnected from each other after use, during manufacturing,for storage, and/or for shipment; have the buttress element and thecinch mechanism be connected by at least one of: gluing, welding,press-fitting, riveting, bonding, fusing, adhering, molding, clamping,screwing, latching, and friction-fitting; have the buttress elementinclude at least one clip or clasp or other connecting means connectedto, and extending from, a base of the buttress element or a base of atleast one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttresselement, the at least one clip or clasp or other connecting meansoperating to releasably connect the buttress element or a least one ofthe first portion and the second portion of the buttress element to thecinch mechanism; and have the other connecting means include at leastone of another clip, another clasp, at least one screw, and at least onehook.

The cinch mechanism may at least one of: be sized and shaped to operateto receive and hold a portion of the tie in the at least first hole andthe at least second hole thereof; be sized and shaped to operate toreceive and hold a portion of the tie therein and/or therethrough; haveone or more surfaces or walls defining an interior zone of space, suchthat any portion of the tie disposed therein is encompassed by the cinchmechanism or is located in the interior zone of space of the cinchmechanism; further comprise at least one spring and at least one buttonor actuation element, the at least one button or actuation elementoperating to compress and/or decompress the spring and including atleast one of the at least first hole and the at least second hole of thecinch mechanism such that the compression and/or the decompression ofthe spring operates to align and/or misalign the at least first hole andthe at least second hole; be opened and/or has its at least first holeand at least second hole aligned when a force or a pressure is appliedto the at least one button or actuation element, thereby compressingand/or decompressing the spring; be opened and/or has the at least firsthole and the at least second hole thereof aligned when a force or apressure is applied to the at least one button or actuation element,thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring, wherein the forceor the pressure is minimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selectedamount; be closed and/or has the at least first hole and the at leastsecond hole thereof misaligned when a force or a pressure is applied to,or removed from, the at least one button or actuation element, therebycompressing and/or decompressing the spring; and be closed and/or hasthe at least first hole and the at least second hole thereof misalignedwhen a force or a pressure is applied to, or removed from, the at leastone button or actuation element, thereby compressing and/ordecompressing the spring, wherein the force or the pressure is minimaland/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount.

The further embodiment of an apparatus may have at least one of thefollowing features: the at least first hole and the at least second holeare positioned on the cinch mechanism such that at least an axis, a lineor a plane passes therethrough and/or the at least first hole and the atleast second hole are co-linear and/or co-planar; at least one of the atleast first hole and the at least second hole is disposed on and incommunication with one or more surfaces or walls of the cinch mechanism;the at least first hole is disposed on and in communication with one ormore surfaces or walls of the cinch mechanism and the at least secondhole is disposed on and in communication with one or more other surfacesor walls of the cinch mechanism; one of the at least first hole and theat least second hole is disposed on and in communication with one ormore surfaces or walls of the cinch mechanism and the other of the atleast first hole and the at least second hole is disposed on and incommunication with the button or actuation element of the cinchmechanism; the geometry of at least one cross-section of the cinchmechanism is at least one of: triangular, substantially triangular,rectangular, substantially rectangular, square-shaped, substantiallysquare-shaped, parallelogram-shaped, substantially parallelogram-shaped,conical, substantially conical, cylindrical, substantially cylindrical,pentagonal and substantially pentagonal; the cinch mechanism includes atleast one of one or more elevations, one or more depressions, one ormore protrusions, one or more hooks, one or more convex contours, one ormore concave contours, one or more tapers, one or more sloped surfaces,and one or more chamfered surfaces to better grip, secure, anchor and/orsupport the tie; the at least one of one or more elevations, one or moredepressions, one or more protrusions, one or more hooks, one or moreconvex contours, one or more concave contours, one or more tapers, oneor more sloped surfaces, and one or more chamfered surfaces are locatedon and/or in communication with at least one of: the at least first holeof the cinch mechanism, the at least second hole of the cinch mechanismand the one or more surfaces or walls of the cinch mechanism; and the atleast first hole and the at least second hole have the same orsubstantially the same radius, diameter and circumference or have atleast one of the radius, diameter and circumference thereof beingdifferent.

One or more embodiments of an apparatus may have at least one of thefollowing further features: the buttress element operates to preventmovement of the tie and/or to prevent the knot of the tie fromloosening; one or more portions of the knot of the tie and/or the tierest and/or are disposed in the buttress element; one or more portionsof the knot of the tie and/or the tie rest and/or are disposed in thezone of space between the first and second portions of the buttresselement; the buttress element is U or V shaped or substantially U or Vshaped; the first and second portions of the buttress element areconnected directly or indirectly to the cinch mechanism and are orientedsuch that the first and second portions of the buttress element defineand form the U or V shape or the substantial U or V shape of thebuttress element; the first and second portions of the buttress elementare connected to each other and oriented such that the first and secondportions of the buttress element define and form the U or V shape or thesubstantial U or V shape of the buttress element; the buttress elementhas one of the following geometric shapes: substantially circular,circular, substantially semi-circular, semi-circular, ovular,semi-ovular, point or pointed, conical, substantially conical,post-like, pillar-like, bar-like, spring-like and coil-like; thebuttress element extends from the cinch mechanism along an axis that isa different axis than the longitudinal axis of, and/or extendingthrough, the cinch mechanism; the buttress element: (i) isperpendicular, transverse, substantially perpendicular and/orsubstantially transverse to the cinch mechanism; or (ii) extends fromthe cinch mechanism at any other predetermined, preselected angle, thepredetermined, preselected angle being at least one of: 45 degrees, 60degrees, 30 degrees, anywhere in the range of about 20 degrees to about85 degrees; anywhere in the range of about 0 degrees to about 85degrees, and anywhere in the range of about 0 degrees to about 180degrees; the buttress element includes at least one of one or moreelevations, one or more depressions, one or more protrusions, one ormore hooks, one or more convex contours, one or more concave contours,one or more tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one or morechamfered surfaces to better grip, secure, anchor and/or support thetie; the first portion of the buttress element includes at least onecurved portion such that the first portion of the buttress elementextends from the second portion of the buttress element for apredetermined distance and then curves and continues to extend such thatthe remainder of the first portion of the buttress element is parallelor substantially parallel to the second portion of the buttress element;the first and second portions of the buttress element have the same orsubstantially the same width, height and length or have at least one ofthe width, height and length thereof being different; and the first andsecond portions of the buttress element are built into, made integralwith, and/or permanently connected to each other or are releasablyconnected to each other via one or more releasable connection means.

Additionally or alternatively, one or more embodiments of an apparatusmay have at least one of the following features: the at least one buttonor actuation element comprises at least one of the first portion and thesecond portion of the buttress element; the buttress element and thecinch mechanism are integrated such that the at least one portion of thefirst portion and the second portion of the buttress element operates tocompress and/or decompress the spring and to align and/or misalign theat least first hole and the at least second hole of the cinch mechanism;the cinch mechanism is opened and/or has its at least first hole and atleast second hole aligned when a force or a pressure is applied to theat least one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttresselement, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring; the cinchmechanism is opened and/or has the at least first hole and the at leastsecond hole thereof aligned when a force or a pressure is applied to theat least one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttresselement, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring, whereinthe force or the pressure is minimal and/or of a predetermined,pre-selected amount; the cinch mechanism is closed and/or has the atleast first hole and the at least second hole thereof misaligned when aforce or a pressure is applied to, or removed from, the at least one ofthe first portion and the second portion of the buttress element,thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring; the cinch mechanismis closed and/or has the at least first hole and the at least secondhole thereof misaligned when a force or a pressure is applied to, orremoved from, the at least one of the first portion and the secondportion of the buttress element, thereby compressing and/ordecompressing the spring, wherein the force or the pressure is minimaland/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount; when the at least firsthole of the cinch mechanism is disposed on and in communication with asurface or wall of the cinch mechanism and the at least second hole ofthe cinch mechanism is disposed on and in communication with anothersurface or wall of the cinch mechanism, at least one of the at least onebutton, actuation element and the at least one of the first portion andthe second portion of the buttress element includes at least a thirdhole of the cinch mechanism; the at least third hole of the cinchmechanism operates to be aligned and/or misaligned with the at leastfirst hole and the at least second hole of the cinch mechanism, therebylocking the cinch mechanism when one or more of the three holes aremisaligned and unlocking the cinch mechanism when all three holes of thecinch mechanism are aligned; the cinch mechanism is opened and/or hasthe at least first hole, the at least second hole and the at least thirdhole aligned when a force or a pressure is applied to the at least oneof the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element,thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring and aligning the atleast third hole with the at least first hole and the at least secondhole; the cinch mechanism is opened and/or has the at least first hole,the at least second hole and the at least third hole aligned when aforce or a pressure is applied to the at least one of the first portionand the second portion of the buttress element, thereby compressingand/or decompressing the spring and aligning the at least third holewith the at least first hole and the at least second hole, wherein theforce or the pressure is minimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selectedamount; the cinch mechanism is closed and/or has at least two of the atleast first hole, the at least second hole and the at least third holethereof misaligned when a force or a pressure is applied to, or removedfrom, the at least one of the first portion and the second portion ofthe buttress element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing thespring and misaligning the at least third hole with at least one of theat least first hole and the at least second hole; and the cinchmechanism is closed and/or has at least two of the at least first hole,the at least second hole and the at least third hole thereof misalignedwhen a force or a pressure is applied to, or removed from, the at leastone of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element,thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring and misaligning theat least third hole with at least one of the at least first hole and theat least second hole, wherein the force or the pressure is minimaland/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount.

Additionally or alternatively, one or more embodiments of an apparatusmay have at least one of the following features: the cinch mechanism is:(i) locked when the spring is compressed and unlocked when the spring isdecompressed; or (ii) unlocked when the spring is decompressed andlocked when the spring is compressed; when the spring is decompressedand the hole of at least one of the at least first hole, the at leastsecond hole and the at least third hole that is disposed on and incommunication with the button, actuation element and/or the at least oneof the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element ispositioned closer to the zone of space of the buttress element than theother two holes of the at least one of the at least first hole, the atleast second hole and the at least third hole, then the cinch mechanismis locked when the spring is decompressed and is unlocked when thespring is compressed; when the spring is compressed and the hole of atleast one of the at least first hole, the at least second hole and theat least third hole that is disposed on and in communication with thebutton, actuation element and/or the at least one of the first portionand the second portion of the buttress element is positioned furtheraway from the zone of space of the buttress element than the other twoholes of the at least one of the at least first hole, the at leastsecond hole and the at least third hole, then the cinch mechanism isunlocked when the spring is decompressed and is locked when the springis compressed; the button or actuation element extends through a firstor front wall or surface of the cinch mechanism and the spring extendsfrom a second or back wall or surface of the cinch mechanism; the cinchmechanism further comprises a second spring and a latch mechanism thatoperates to slide towards the spring, thereby locking the spring in acompressed position, and to slide away from the spring, therebyunlocking the spring from its compressed position; the latch mechanismincludes a curved, sloped, tapered and/or chamfered surface such that,when the at least one of the button, the actuation element and the atleast one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttresselement slides along the curved, sloped, tapered and/or chamferedsurface of the latch mechanism, the latch mechanism is pushed away fromthe spring such that the second spring becomes compressed, therebyunlocking the spring from its compressed position; the cinch mechanismfurther comprises at least one of: (i) one or more tracks, one or morerails and/or one or more guideposts that operate to guide the at leastone of the button, the actuation element and the at least one of thefirst portion and the second portion of the buttress element in thecinch mechanism; (ii) one or more tracks, one or more rails and/or oneor more guideposts that operate to guide the second spring and/or thelatch mechanism in the cinch mechanism; and (iii) one or more tracks,one or more rails and/or one or more guideposts that operate to guidethe spring in the cinch mechanism; the second spring and the latchmechanism operate to be locked in, and released from a compressedposition, thereby allowing the user of the apparatus to control when theapparatus is opened and closed; the cinch mechanism is sized and shapedto operate to guide at least one of the spring and the at least one ofthe button, the actuation element and the at least one of the firstportion and the second portion of the buttress element therein; and oneor more components of the apparatus are made of at least one of:plastic, clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsawood, wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a soft material, a material thatoperates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer,thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede,synthetics, a substantially resilient material, a hard or rigidmaterial, metal, magnetic material, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbonfiber, and fiber.

The apparatus or device may include a clip having a resilient elasticitysuch that the clip may be opened with minimal force and may grip andhold the tie in the preselected position. The clip may be “U” or “V”shaped or substantially “U” or “V” shaped. The clip may be connected tothe buttress element such that they are perpendicular, transverse,substantially perpendicular and/or substantially transverse to eachother. The buttress element and the clip may be disposed at any otherangle (e.g., 45 degrees; as otherwise discussed herein; etc.) withrespect to each other. The clip may include one or more elevations anddepressions (e.g., protrusions, hooks, convex and concave contours,etc.) to better grip the tie.

The apparatus or device may include a pin that further secures the tie.Preferably, the pin mates with a pin receptacle to preventpiercing/injury. The device may use the pin and pin receptacle insteadof the clip to achieve the desired supporting, anchoring and/or securingfunctionality. Preferably, the pin is disposed perpendicularly,transversely, substantially perpendicularly and/or substantiallytransversely to the buttress element. The pin may be oriented towardsthe user or away from the user such that the pin receptacle may beplaced at least one of: under one or more portions of the tie of theuser, under the shirt of the user, and on top of the tie of the user.Preferably, the pin receptacle is hidden from view.

Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus or device may include aflex frame that opens when a user pinches the frame and remains closedor in a rest position when not pinched. Preferably, the flex frame is“O” or “0” shaped such that any portion of the tie in the frame isencompassed thereby.

The apparatus or device may include a magnet to magnet combination thatfurther anchors the tie. Preferably, a first magnet is disposed on, orconnected to, the buttress element, and a second magnet is disposed suchthat one or more portions of the tie (preferably at least the short orthinner end) are located between the magnets. The magnets may be usedinstead of the clip and/or pin. The first magnet may be built into, madeintegral with and/or permanently connected to the buttress element, ormay be connected to the buttress element using fusing, gluing, bonding,press-fit, welded, etc.

The apparatus or device may include a cinch mechanism that furtheranchors the tie. Preferably, the cinch includes a spring, and the cinchhas two positions. The first position is where the two holes in thecinch are not lined up (where the spring is not compressed), therebylocking a portion of the tie therein. The second position is where thetwo holes in the cinch are lined up (where the spring is compressed),thereby unlocking the cinch. The cinch may be used instead of themagnets, clip, and/or pin. A button may be used to actuate and move thespring between the compressed and decompressed positions. Alternatively,at least one portion of the buttress element may include a third holeand may operate to move the spring between the compressed anddecompressed positions thereof. For example, the at least one portion ofthe buttress element (e.g., the portion of the buttress element that isdisposed in the knot of the tie) may be moved towards the frame of theapparatus or device (e.g., the spring is compressed) to align the threeholes or, in one or more other embodiments, may be moved away from theframe (e.g., by using the force of the spring) to align the three holes,depending on the location of the third hole of the at least one portionof the buttress element.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, atie supporting, securing and/or anchoring apparatus or device includes:a body or frame that is sized and shaped to operate to receive and holdtherein a portion of a tie and a buttress element attached to, andextending away from, the body or frame. Preferably, the buttress elementoperates to connect to, and hold, at least a portion of a tie (such as,but not limited to, a portion of the knot of a tie) therein.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the structure andorientation of the one or more components of the apparatuses or devicesmay be modified in various ways while providing the benefits describedherein. For example, the one or more components may be sized and shapedto have different geometric shapes, such as, but not limited to, beingat least one of: substantially circular, semi-circular, point or pointed(e.g., conical or substantially conical in shape), post-shaped,pillar-shaped, bar-shaped, spring-shaped, etc., as further discussedherein.

The size and shape of the invention may be such that user of theinvention can properly support, anchor and/or secure one or more typesof ties as discussed herein. The one or more components may have awidth, length, radius and/or diameter that is shorter than the width,length, radius and/or diameter of another component of the apparatusesor devices.

One or more components of the apparatuses or devices may include atleast one of: plastic, clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam,polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a softmaterial, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textilematerial, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric,vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, ahard or rigid material, metal, magnetic material, magnetic metal,polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, fiber or any other suitablematerial known to those skilled in the art. One or more components ofthe apparatuses or devices may be built into, made integral with, and/orpermanently connected to each other.

The present invention of the instant application aids or assists a userin supporting, anchoring and/or securing a tie, is easy to use by theuser, is cheap to manufacture, and reduces and/or eliminates thechance(s) that the tie will become shifted, loosened, moved, undone,etc., which may result from wearing a tie without the invention.

The methods of using the one or more tie securing, supporting and/oranchoring apparatuses or devices aid or assist the user in learning howto maintain proper position of the tie, and in allowing the user toperform one or more activities, e.g., work, office and/or formalactivities, while maintaining a neat, kempt and uniform appearanceand/or without worrying about the tie becoming loose, shifted,displaced, etc.

At least one method of using at least one tie securing, anchoring and/orsupporting apparatus or device, may include the steps of: (i) applying aforce to a body or flex frame of the at least one apparatus or device toopen, or expand a hole of, the body or flex frame a predeterminedamount; (ii) positioning and/or placing a portion of a tie into and/oronto the body or flex frame and/or the hole thereof or removing theportion of the tie from the body or flex frame and/or the hole thereof;and (iii) releasing or removing the force placed on the body or flexframe of the apparatus or device such that the resilient elasticityand/or the spring-like bias of the body or flex frame and/or theportions of the body or flex frame, the portions of the body or flexframe being springingly biased towards each other, operate to close,and/or narrow the hole of, the body or flex frame and/or anchor, secure,lock and/or support the portion of the tie in a predetermined,pre-selected position, orientation and/or configuration. The applyingstep may further include opening the body or flex frame by separating atleast two portions of the body or flex frame. The releasing or removingof the force step may further include closing the at least two portionsof the body or flex frame, wherein the at least two portions of the bodyor flex frame are closed by at least one of: (a) a pin and receptaclearrangement; and (b) one or more magnetic forces drawing the at leasttwo portions together. The method may further include positioning atleast a portion of the tie and/or a knot of the tie in a buttresselement, the buttress element being connected to, and extending from thebody or flex frame, thereby further anchoring, securing, locking and/orsupporting the portion of the tie and/or the knot of the tie in apredetermined, pre-selected position, orientation and/or configurationand/or preventing the knot from loosening.

One or more other methods of using at least one tie securing, anchoringand/or supporting apparatus or device, may include the steps of: (i)aligning at least two holes of a cinch mechanism of the at least oneapparatus or device to open and unlock the cinch mechanism; (ii)positioning and/or placing a portion of a tie into and/or onto the cinchmechanism and/or the at least two holes thereof or removing the portionof the tie from the cinch mechanism and/or the at least two holesthereof; and (iii) misaligning the at least two holes of the cinchmechanism to close and lock the cinch mechanism and/or anchor, secure,lock and/or support the portion of the tie in a predetermined,pre-selected position, orientation and/or configuration. The one or moreother methods may further include positioning at least a portion of thetie and/or a knot of the tie in a buttress element, the buttress elementbeing connected to, and extending from the cinch mechanism, therebyfurther anchoring, securing, locking and/or supporting the portion ofthe tie and/or the knot of the tie in a predetermined, pre-selectedposition, orientation and/or configuration and/or preventing the knotfrom loosening. The at least two holes may include at least three holes.The alignment step may further include aligning the at least threeholes; and the misalignment step may further include misaligning atleast two of the at least three holes.

The methods of using the tie supporting, securing and/or anchoringapparatuses or devices may further comprise forming, providing and/ormaking one or more components of the apparatuses or devices having atleast one of: plastic, clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam,polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a softmaterial, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textilematerial, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric,vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, ahard or rigid material, metal, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber,and fiber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purposes of illustrating the various aspects of the invention,wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there are shown in thedrawings simplified forms that may be employed, it being understood,however, that the invention is not limited by or to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown. To assist those of ordinaryskill in the relevant art in making and using the subject matter hereof,reference is made to the appended drawings and figures, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective back view of an embodiment of a tie supporting,securing and/or anchoring apparatus or device being attached to a tie inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A where the tiesupporting, securing and/or anchoring apparatus or device has a flexframe that is in an open position due to a user applying force theretoin accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1B where thetie supporting, securing and/or anchoring apparatus or device has theflex frame in a closed, at-rest position in accordance with one or moreaspects of the present invention;

FIG. 1D is a side view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1C where theapparatus or device is attached to a tie in accordance with one or moreaspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of at least an additional embodiment of atie supporting, securing and/or anchoring apparatus or device having aflex frame including hinges that may be releasably connected using a pinor locking mechanism in accordance with one or more aspects of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 2A where thehinges of the flex frame are releasably connected using a pin or lockingmechanism in accordance with one or more aspects of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of at least an additional embodiment of atie supporting, securing and/or anchoring apparatus or device, in anopen position (the pin or locking mechanism is not disposed in the flexframe) having a flex frame and a buttress element, where the buttresselement is releasably connectable to the flex frame in accordance withone or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 3A where the tiesupporting, securing and/or anchoring apparatus or device is in anclosed or locked position because the pin or locking mechanism isdisposed in the flex frame in accordance with one or more aspects of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of at least another embodiment of a tiesupporting, securing and/or anchoring apparatus or device having a flexframe including only one hinge on one side thereof, where the flex frameincludes magnetic material therein such that the first and secondportions of the flex frame operate to releasably connect to each otherand the flex frame is shown in an open position in accordance with oneor more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A where theflex frame is shown in a substantially closed or closed position (e.g.,the magnetic forces of the flex frame operate to connect the first andsecond portions of the flex frame and/or draw the first and secondportions of the flex frame towards each other) in accordance with one ormore aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 4C is a side view of the embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4B where theapparatus or device is attached to a tie and the both ends of themagnetic first and second portions of the flex frame are in directcontact with each other in accordance with one or more aspects of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4D is a perspective back view of the embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4Cwhere the apparatus or device is attached to a tie and, while thereleasably connectable ends of the magnetic first and second portions ofthe flex frame are in a closed or locked position on the tie, where thereleasably connectable ends are at least indirectly connected to eachother because a portion of the tie lies therebetween in accordance withone or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a side view of at least a further embodiment of a tiesupporting, securing and/or anchoring apparatus or device having a cinchmechanism, including a button and spring arrangement therein, thatoperates to releasably connect to a portion of a tie in accordance withone or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 5A showing the buttonand spring mechanism arrangement of the cinch mechanism to be in alocked position (e.g., where two holes of the cinch mechanism aremisaligned; where a hole located on the button or actuation mechanism ismisaligned with a hole located on a body of the cinch mechanism; etc.)in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5C is a top view of the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5B showing thebutton and spring mechanism arrangement of the cinch mechanism to be inan open position (e.g., where two holes of the cinch mechanism arealigned, thereby allowing the tie to be positioned therein and/orremoved therefrom; where a hole located on the button or actuationmechanism is aligned with a hole located on a body of the cinchmechanism; etc.) in accordance with one or more aspects of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5D is a perspective back view of the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5Cshowing the apparatus or device being attached to a tie in accordancewith one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment having atleast the structure of the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5D taken along line6A-6A (as shown in FIG. 5B) showing the internal components of the cinchmechanism and also including an additional spring-latch mechanismtherein in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 6A takenalong line 6B-6B (as shown in FIG. 5C) showing the internal componentsof the cinch mechanism and also including an additional spring-latchmechanism therein in accordance with one or more aspects of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7A is a side view of yet a further embodiment of a cinch mechanismfor a tie supporting, securing and/or anchoring apparatus or devicewhere the buttress element of the apparatus or device is integrated withthe cinch mechanism such that at least one portion of the buttresselement operates to actuate the spring located in the cinch mechanism toalign and/or misalign the holes thereof, the holes being shown in themisaligned, closed and locked position in accordance with one or moreaspects of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 7A where the holes arealigned such that the cinch mechanism is in the open and unlockedposition in accordance with one or more aspects of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of yet a further cinch mechanism having atriangular cross-sectional structure where one portion of the buttresselement acts to actuate the spring of the cinch mechanism in accordancewith one or more aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Tie supporting, securing and/or anchoring apparatuses or devices aredisclosed herein for providing support to a tie, operating to keep a tiein position and/or preventing loosening, shifting, moving etc. of thetie from a predetermined or rest position and methods of using same.Such tie anchoring and/or securing devices provide consistency andreliability to tie placement while a user of the tie wears, installsand/or removes same, particularly where the tie(s) would shift, loosen,move, etc. without use of the one or more tie anchoring and/or securingapparatuses. The apparatuses or devices may be used in any location forvarious types of activities, such as, but not limited to, office, workand formal events. The apparatuses or devices may be sized and shaped toaccommodate one or more of various types of ties, and may be designed toinclude one or more contours, cut-outs, shapes, etc. to comfortablyaccommodate one or more types of ties when the apparatuses or devicesare being used.

The one or more tie supporting, anchoring and/or securing apparatuses ordevices may be placed on one or more types of ties (e.g., several typesof ties discussed above) after a predetermined type of tie is inposition. While various types of tie supporting, anchoring and/orsecuring apparatuses or devices are disclosed herein, preferably a userselects one of the tie supporting, anchoring and/or securing apparatusesor devices for use with a particular, predetermined type of tie. Thatsaid, the tie supporting, anchoring and/or securing apparatuses ordevices may be interchangeable for the one or more types of ties asdiscussed herein.

Turning now to the details of the figures, FIG. 1A illustrates at leastone embodiment of an apparatus or device 10 attached to at least aportion 3 of a tie 2 (and also attached to a knot 4 of the tie 2). Asbest seen in FIGS. 1A-1D, the apparatus 10 includes a body or flex frame11 having a first portion 12 and a second portion 13 connected to eachother at the ends thereof, and a buttress element 14 extending from thebody or flex frame 11, the buttress element 14 having a first portion 14a and a second portion 14 b that are sized and shaped to define a zoneof space between the first and second portions 14 a, 14 b. The apparatus10 is releasably connectable to the tie 2, and the apparatus 10 operatesto keep the tie 2 in position and prevent loosening, shifting, etc. ofthe tie 2. The apparatus or device 10 may be placed on the tie 2 afterthe tie 2 is placed in a predetermined, desired position on a user 1. Asseen in FIG. 1A, preferably, the apparatus or device 10 is disposed, orsubstantially disposed, on a first portion (e.g., a backside portion; abackside portion (e.g., such as the portion 3) where, in at least oneembodiment, the front side of a tie may be one or more sides of the tiefacing away from the user and the backside of the tie may be one or moresides of the tie facing towards the user and/or located between the userand the front side of the tie; etc.) of a tie knot 4 or of the tie 2 (orother predetermined tie location, such as, but not limited to, a frontportion (e.g., the larger portion of the tie 2 shown in FIG. 1A)), andoperates to prevent the knot 4 (or other tie portion) of the tie 2 fromslipping downwards or from otherwise becoming undone. The apparatus ordevice 10 may be disposed in a back portion, a middle portion (e.g.,between both cloth portions (e.g., the thinner or short (or back) end(see e.g., the portion 3 of the tie 2) and the thicker or longer (front)end (see e.g., the thicker portion of the tie 2 as shown in FIG. 1A) ofthe tie 2)) and/or a front portion of the tie 2 (or combinations ofthose portions of the tie 2). The apparatus or device 10 may includemetal, plastic or other material (see further discussion below) thatprovides the structural attributes discussed herein.

Preferably, the body or flex frame 11 is sized and shaped to operate toreceive and hold therein at least a section of the portion 3 of the tie2 and/or the portion of the tie 2. Preferably, the body or flex frame 11is substantially O or 0 shaped, thereby defining a hole or a zone ofspace in communication with the body or flex frame 11, such that anyportion of the tie 2 disposed therein is encompassed by the body or flexframe 11. In one embodiment, the body or flex frame 11 may include aclip (e.g., which may be U, V, C, (or ) shaped or substantially U, V, C,(or ) shaped) or other component having a spring or spring-like bias,such as, but not limited to, the first portion 12 and the second portion13 of the body or flex frame 11 connected to each other at respectiveends thereof (see FIGS. 1A-1D). Preferably, the first portion 12 and thesecond portion 13 are springingly biased towards each other, and thebody or flex frame 11 may be opened by the user 1 by applying force tothe body or flex frame 11 (preferably at the ends (e.g., end portions 12c, 12 d, 13 c, 13 d as discussed below; where one or more hinges arelocated on the ends of the portions 12, 13; etc.) of the portions 12, 13of the flex frame 11 (see the user 1 applying such force to the flexframe 11 by pinching same in FIG. 1B). When the force is removed fromthe body or flex frame 11, the body or flex frame 11 (and/or portionsthereof, such as the first and second portions 12, 13) operates toreturn to its original, at-rest position, orientation and/orconfiguration, thereby having a resilient elasticity. The force may beminimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount based on theneeds of the user 1 and the structure of the apparatus or device 10. Assuch, the amount of force may be modified from one embodiment of theapparatus or device 10 to the next embodiment (see e.g., the otherapparatuses or devices 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, etc. as discussed hereinbelow) depending on the needs of the user 1. The springing bias of thefirst and second portions 12 and 13 of the flex frame 11 may be providedand/or increased by the size and shape of the first and second portions12, 13. For example, in at least one embodiment, the first and secondportions 12, 13 may be U, V, C, (or ) shaped or substantially U, V, C,(or ) shaped, and positioned, and connected to each other, such that thefirst and second portion combination is at least one of ] [shaped, > <shaped and/or ) (shaped (e.g., the shape of each of the first and secondportions 12, 13 are such that the first and second portions 12, 13operate to bow or spring towards each other). Preferably, when the bodyor flex frame 11 is in its original, at-rest position, orientationand/or configuration, the body or flex frame 11 operates, and,therefore, the first and second portions 12, 13 of the flex frame 11operate, to grip and hold the tie 2 (and/or a portion thereof) in thepreselected, predetermined position, orientation and/or configuration(see e.g., FIGS. 1A and 1D). As best shown in FIGS. 1B-1C, the first andsecond portions 12, 13 are preferably oriented and connected to eachother such that each has respective first or inside surfaces 12 b, 13 b(e.g., the first or inside surfaces 12 b, 13 b substantially face eachother; may define a zone of space therebetween; etc.) and second oroutside surfaces 12 a, 13 a (e.g., the second or outside surfaces 12 a,13 a substantially face away from each other; may define a perimeter ofthe body or flex frame 11; etc.), and the first and second portions 12,13 extend along, substantially parallel to, and/or parallel to alongitudinal axis, L, extending through the apparatus or device 10 (seeFIG. 1C). As such, when the body or flex frame 11 is in its original,at-rest position, orientation and/or configuration (and especially whenthe tie 2 is not disposed therein), the surfaces 12 a, 12 b, 13 a, 13 b(and/or at least sections thereof) may be parallel or substantiallyparallel to each other. The body or flex frame 11 may include one ormore elevations and depressions (e.g., one or more protrusions, one ormore hooks, one or more convex contours and/or one or more concavecontours, etc.; preferably located on one or both of the first or insidesurfaces 12 b, 13 b but may be located on one or both of the second oroutside surfaces 12 a, 13 a alternatively or additionally) to bettergrip the tie 2. Preferably, the first and second portions 12, 13 havethe same width, height and length. In one or more embodiments, at leastone of the width, height and length of the first and second portions 12,13 may be different. Preferably, the first and second portions 12, 13are built into, made integral with, and/or permanently connected to eachother. That said, as discussed further below, the first and secondportions 12, 13 may be releasably connected via one or more releasableconnection means, such as, but not limited to, hinges, pin-receptaclecombinations, latches, etc.

As best seen in FIGS. 1A and 1D, the buttress element 14 operates toprevent movement of the tie 2 and/or to prevent the knot 4 fromloosening, and one or more portions of the knot 4 and/or the tie 2 mayrest in the buttress element 14. Preferably, the one or more portions ofthe knot 4 and/or the tie 2 are disposed in the zone of space locatedbetween the first and second portions 14 a, 14 b of the buttress element14. The buttress element 14 is preferably U or V shaped or substantiallyU or V shaped (e.g., the first and second portions 14 a, 14 b areconnected to each other and oriented such that the first and secondportions 14 a, 14 b define and form the U or V shape or substantial U orV shape). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the structureand orientation of the first and second portions 14 a, 14 b with respectto each other may be modified in various ways while providing the samebenefits described herein. Preferably, the buttress element 14 isconnected to the body or flex frame 11, and extends from the body orflex frame 11 along an axis that is a different axis than thelongitudinal axis, L, of the body or flex frame 11. Preferably, thebuttress element 14 is perpendicular, transverse, substantiallyperpendicular and/or substantially transverse to the body or flex frame11. Alternatively, the buttress element 14 may extend from the body orflex frame 11 at any other predetermined, preselected angle (e.g., 45degrees, 60 degrees, 30 degrees, in the range of 20-85 degrees, in therange of 0-85 degrees, etc.). Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the structure and orientation of the body or flex frame 11 and thebuttress element 14 with respect to each other may be modified invarious ways while providing the same benefits described herein. Thebuttress element 14 may include one or more elevations and depressions(e.g., one or more protrusions, one or more hooks, one or more convexcontours and/or one or more concave contours, etc.) to better grip thetie 2. As best seen in FIGS. 1B-1C, the first portion 14 a of thebuttress element may include a curved portion such that the firstportion 14 a extends from the second portion 14 b a predetermineddistance and then curves such that the remaining section of the firstportion 14 a is parallel or substantially parallel to the second portion14 b of the buttress element 14. Preferably, the buttress element 14 isbuilt into, made integral with, and/or permanently connected to the bodyor flex frame 11. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that thebuttress element 14 may be connected to the body or flex frame 11 usingany methods known to those skilled in the art, such as, but not limitedto, gluing, welding, press-fitting, riveting, bonding, fusing, adhering,molding, clamping, screwing, latching, friction-fitting, etc.Additionally or alternatively, in one or more embodiments (see e.g.,FIGS. 3A and 3B and discussion below), the buttress element 14 may bereleasably connectable to the body or flex frame 11 so that the buttresselement 14 and the body or flex frame 11 may be connected for use andthen disconnected after use, during manufacturing, for storage,shipment, and/or for any other suitable scenario. For example, thebuttress element 14 may include a clip or clasp 19 (best seen in FIGS.3A-3B) or other connecting means connected to, and extending from, thebase of the buttress element 14 (e.g., the base of the second portion 14b of the buttress element 14), the clip or other connecting meansoperating to releasably connect the buttress element 14 to the body orflex frame 11. In one or more other embodiments, one or more clips orclasps 19 may be connected to the base of the second portion 14 b and/orthe first portion 14 a of the buttress element 14. Preferably, the firstand second portions 14 a, 14 b have the same width, height and length.In one or more embodiments, at least one of the width, height and lengthof the first and second portions 14 a, 14 b may be different.

The other embodiments of the tie securing, anchoring and/or supportingapparatuses or devices 20, 30, 40, 80, etc. as discussed herein mayinclude the same or similar elements as those included in the apparatusor device 10 discussed above. Indeed, those skilled in the art willappreciate that the elements (e.g., the body or flex frame 11; the firstand second portions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame 11; the first andsecond surfaces 12 a, 12 b, 13 a, 13 b of the first and second portionsof the body or flex frame 11; the first ends 12 d, 13 d of the first andsecond portions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame 11; the second ends 12c, 13 c of the first and second portions 12, 13 of the body or flexframe 11; the buttress element 14; the first and second portions 14 a,14 b of the buttress element 14; the longitudinal axis, L, of the bodyor flex frame 11; the hinge 15 of the body or flex frame 11; the pin 18and receptacles 16, 17 a, 17 b of the body or flex frame 11; the clip orclasp 19 of the buttress element 14; the cinch mechanisms 31, etc.) ofthe apparatuses or devices 20, 30, 40, 80, etc. or any other tiesecuring, anchoring or supporting apparatuses or devices discussedherein may operate in the same or similar fashion to those like-numberedelements of the apparatus or device 10 as discussed above or anyadditional like-numbered elements discussed further herein below. Forexample, FIGS. 4A-8 as discussed further below may also show one or moreof the same or similar like-numbered elements as already discussed abovefor the apparatus or device 10. Indeed, those skilled in the art willappreciate that the aforementioned discussions and teachings regardingsuch elements apply to the additional embodiments, such as, but notlimited to the apparatuses or devices 20, 30, 40, 80, etc. as discussedfurther below. As such, the subject teachings regarding thelike-numbered elements are not repeated herein below.

As aforementioned, the first and second portions 12, 13 may bereleasably connected via one or more releasable connection means, suchas, but not limited to, one or more hinges, one or more pin-receptaclecombinations, one or more latches, one or more latch-catch combinations,etc. As best seen in FIGS. 2A-2B, in an alternative embodiment of thetie securing, anchoring and/or supporting device or apparatus 10, thefirst and second portions 12, 13 may be connected at first respectiveends 12 d, 13 d thereof by a hinge 15 of the body or flex frame 11, andmay be releasably connected/disconnected from each other at the secondrespective ends 12 c, 13 c thereof by a pin-receptacle combination. Forexample, the second portion 13 of the body or flex frame 11 may includeone or more receptacles 17 a, 17 b, and the first portion 12 of the bodyor flex frame 11 may include a receptacle 16 such that, when all of thereceptacles 16, 17 a, 17 b are aligned (e.g., the receptacle 16 islocated between the receptacles 17 a, 17 b such that the holes thereinare aligned; the holes of the receptacles 16, 17 a, 17 b are co-linear;etc.), a pin 18 may be disposed in the receptacles 16, 17 a, 17 b andthrough the holes thereof to releasably connect the second ends 12 c, 13c of the first and second portions 12, 13 together (as best seen in FIG.2B). When the user 1 desires to disconnect the second ends 12 c, 13 c(as best seen in FIG. 2A), the user 1 may remove the pin 18 from thereceptacles 16, 17 a, 17 b. Preferably, the pin 18 mates with thereceptacles 16, 17 a, 17 b to prevent piercing/injury to the user 1.While FIG. 2A shows the pin 18 entering the receptacles 16, 17 a, 17 bin the direction of the shown arrow (by first entering the receptacle 17a), the pin 18 may alternatively enter the receptacles 16, 17 a, 17 bfrom the opposite end (by first entering the receptacle 17 b).

As also discussed above, the buttress element 14 may be releasablyconnected to the body or flex frame 11 via one or more releasableconnection means, such as, but not limited to, a clip, a clasp, a screw,a hook, etc. As best seen in FIGS. 3A-3B (showing the body or flex frame11 in an open or closed orientation, configuration and/or position whilebeing disconnected from the buttress element 14), in an embodiment ofthe tie securing, anchoring and/or supporting device or apparatus 10alternative to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the buttress element14 may further include at least one clasp or clip 19 that operates toreleasably connect the buttress element 14 to the body or flex frame 11.As such, the user 1 of the apparatus or device 10 may decide to positioneither the buttress element 14 or the body or flex frame 11 on the tie 2first before connecting the buttress element 14 and the body or flexframe 11 together. Depending on the type of tie being used with theapparatus or device 10 and/or depending on the preference(s) of the user1, the user 1 may decide whether it may be easier for the user 1 toinstall the buttress element 14 on the tie (such as the tie 2) first, orwhether it may be easier for the user 1 to install the body or flexframe 11 on the tie (such as the tie 2) first.

Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus or device 10 may include amagnet to magnet combination that further anchors the portion of theknot 4 and/or the tie 2. For example, the first and second portions 12,13 of the body or flex frame 11 may include material that is attractedto each other via magnetic force(s). By way of another example, in atleast one embodiment, a first magnet may be disposed on, or connectedto, the buttress element 14, and a second magnet may be disposed suchthat one or more portions of the tie 2 (preferably the short end 3 ofthe tie 2) are located between the magnets. The magnets may be usedinstead of a clip and/or a pin, or may be used in addition to a clipand/or a pin. The first magnet may be built into, made integral with,and/or permanently connected to the buttress element 14, or may beconnected to the buttress element 14 using fusing, gluing, bonding,press-fit, welded, etc.

As shown in FIGS. 4A-4D, a magnet to magnet combination may even be usedby itself as an alternative way to releasably connect the first andsecond portions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame 11 together. As besetseen in FIGS. 4A-4B, the first and second portions 12, 13 of the body orflex frame 11 may include one or more materials that are attracted toeach other, e.g., via magnetic forces, such as, but not limited to,magnets, at least one magnet and at least one magnetic metal (e.g.,metals that are attracted to magnets; metal(s) that may operate asmagnets; etc.). As best seen in FIG. 4A, at least one of or both of thefirst and second portions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame 11 may retainthe aforementioned resilient flexibility and spring-like bias whenincluding such magnet(s) and/or such metal(s). As shown in the apparatusor device 20 of FIGS. 4A-4B, the first ends 12 d, 13 d of the first andsecond portions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame 11 may be connected viathe hinge or other similar connecting element 15. The second ends 12 c,13 c of the first and second portions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame11 may be connected (e.g., directly (as best seen in FIG. 4C) and/orindirectly (e.g., through the tie 2, the portion 3 of the tie 2, anotherportion of the tie 2, etc. —see e.g., FIG. 4D where the magneticforce(s) may connect the first and second portions 12, 13 indirectlythrough the portion 3 of the tie 2 and/or may permit the first andsecond portions 12, 13 to be connected directly at at least respectiveportions thereof) by the attractive force(s) of the magnet(s) and/or themetal(s) included in the first and second portions 12, 13 of the body orflex frame 11. The magnetic force(s) is/are sufficient such that thefirst and second portions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame 11 may bespaced away from each other for a predetermined distance (e.g., thethickness of the portion 3 of the tie 2 resting therebetween; a distancepreselected by the user 1; a distance preselected by a manufacturer ofthe apparatus 20; etc.), and may not separate from each other withoutassistance from the user 1 applying force(s) to the first and secondportions 12, 13 to separate them when desired. As such, while theapparatus or device 20 of FIGS. 4A-4B may not include the pin 18 andreceptacle (e.g., using the receptacles 16, 17 a, 17 b) arrangement, theapparatus or device 20 may include the pin 18 and receptacle (e.g.,using the receptacles 16, 17 a, 17 b) arrangement if the user 1 desiresadditional locking capabilities for the device 20.

Additionally or alternatively, a tie anchoring, securing and/orsupporting apparatus or device may include a cinch mechanism thatfurther anchors the tie 2. While the cinch mechanisms discussed hereinmay be used with a flex frame, preferably, in one or more embodiments,the one or more cinch mechanisms are employed as the body of the devicesor apparatuses as an alternative to the aforementioned flex frame(s) 11to anchor the tie 2 (as best seen in FIG. 5A). As shown in FIGS. 5A-5D,at least one embodiment of the tie securing, anchoring and/or supportingapparatus or device 30 includes a cinch mechanism 31 instead of theaforementioned flex frame(s) 11. The cinch mechanism 31 (also referredto as a body of the apparatus 30) may be attached to the buttresselement 14 (and the first and second portions 14 a, 14 b of the buttresselement 14) in the same or similar fashion as described above for thebody or flex frame 11. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the cinch mechanism 31 and the buttress element 14 may be connectedto each other using any methods known to those skilled in the art, suchas, but not limited to, gluing, welding, press-fitting, riveting,bonding, fusing, adhering, molding, clamping, screwing, latching,friction-fitting, etc. Additionally or alternatively, in one or moreembodiments, the buttress element 14 may be releasably connectable tothe cinch mechanism 31 so that the buttress element 14 and the cinchmechanism 31 may be connected for use and then disconnected after use,during manufacturing, for storage, shipment, and/or for any othersuitable scenario. Preferably, the buttress element 14 and the cinchmechanism 31 are built into, made integral with, and/or permanentlyconnected to each other. Preferably, the cinch mechanism 31 includes aspring 39 (best seen in FIG. 5B), and the cinch mechanism 31 has atleast two positions (i.e., a locked or closed position (e.g., where atleast two holes (see e.g., holes 41 a, 41 b as discussed below) of thecinch mechanism 31 are misaligned) and an unlocked or open position(e.g., where the at least two holes (see e.g., holes 41 a, 41 b asdiscussed below) of the cinch mechanism 31 are aligned) as best seen inFIGS. 5B-5C. For example, the cinch mechanism 31 may further include abutton/actuation element 35 having a hole 41 a in a portion thereof andat least one hole 41 b in at least one surface or wall of the cinchmechanism 31 such that when the holes 41 a, 41 b are aligned (as bestseen in FIG. 5C), the spring 39 is compressed and the cinch mechanism 31is, therefore, in an open or unlocked position, thereby allowing theportion 3 of the tie 2 to run through the holes 41 a, 41 b (best seen inFIG. 5A) and/or to be removed from the holes 41 a, 41 b (e.g., afteruse). In at least one embodiment of the cinch mechanism 31, the user 1may push the button or actuation element 35 to align the holes 41 a, 41b to insert and/or remove the tie 2 therefrom (see e.g., FIG. 5C). Whenthe user 1 wishes to have the cinch mechanism 31 clamp, hold, grip, etc.a portion of the tie 2 (e.g., the portion 3 of the tie 2), the user 1may simply release the button or actuation element 35, and the spring 39will force the holes 41 a, 41 b to become misaligned (see e.g., FIG.5B). In an alternative embodiment, the button or actuation element 35and the spring 39 arrangement may be designed such that the button oractuation element 35 may be pushed to compress the spring 39, and thenpushed again to decompress the spring 39. For example, when the desiredportion of the tie 2 (such as the portion 3 of the tie 2) is positionedproperly (e.g., in a predetermined location) in the cinch mechanism 31,the user 1 may push the button 35 to decompress the spring 39 such thatthe at least two holes 41 a, 41 b become misaligned (as best seen inFIG. 5B) such that the cinch mechanism 31 is, therefore, in a closed orlocked position, thereby anchoring, securing and/or supporting a portion(e.g., the portion 3) of the tie 2 therein (as best seen in FIGS. 5A and5D). Alternatively, depending on the positioning of the hole 41 a on thebutton/actuation element 35, the locked or closed position may occurwhen the spring 39 is compressed, and the unlocked or open position mayoccur when the spring 39 is decompressed. The cinch mechanism 31 mayanchor, secure and/or support a portion (e.g., the portion 3) of the tie2 therein regardless of whether the buttress element 14 is attached to aportion of the tie 2 and/or the knot 4 of the tie 2. The button 35 mayextend through a first wall or surface 32 (e.g., a front wall or surfaceof the cinch mechanism 31; the wall or surface of the cinch mechanism 31that faces away from the user 1; a wall or surface of the cinchmechanism 31 that is located between the larger, front portion of thetie 2 and the smaller, back portion (such as the portion 3) of the tie2; etc.). The spring 39 may extend from an inside surface (e.g., theinside surface of the back wall 33) of the cinch mechanism 31.

The button 35 (e.g., alone, in combination with other components of thecinch mechanism 31, etc.) and/or any other actuating member or componentmay operate to compress and lock the spring 39 in the locked, closedconfiguration of the cinch mechanism 31 as aforementioned. Indeed, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the structure and orientation ofthe spring 39 and the button 35 with relation to the body of the cinchmechanism 31 discussed herein may be modified in various ways whileproviding the benefits described herein. For example, as best seen inthe cross-sectional views of FIGS. 6A-6B (taken along lines 6A-6A and6B-6B of FIGS. 5B-5C, respectively), at least one embodiment of thecinch mechanism 31 may further include a second spring 61 and latch 62mechanism that slides out (e.g., via the force provided by the spring61) to lock the spring 39 in the locked configuration of the cinchmechanism 31 and slides inwards (e.g., when a portion of the button 35and/or any other actuation member being used for the cinch mechanism 31slides down along a curved, sloped, tapered, etc. surface of the latch62, thereby pushing and sliding the latch 62 away from the spring 39;when a latch-catch mechanism holding the spring 61 and latch 62mechanism in the locked position (and/or a decompressed position for thespring 61) is released, etc.) and thereby compressing the spring 61 apredetermined distance to allow the spring 39 to decompress and push thebutton 35 towards and into the unlocked, open configuration of the cinchmechanism 31. Preferably, while not a requirement for the cinchmechanism 31, at least a portion of the button 35 extends between, andis guided by, tracks, rails or guideposts 35 a, 35 b, and at least aportion of the spring 61 and latch 62 mechanism is guided by, andextends between, tracks, rails or guideposts 63, 64 (best seen in FIGS.6A-6B). The cinch mechanism 31 may be used instead of the magnets, clip,and/or pin elements discussed above.

Additionally or alternatively, the buttress element 14 may be integratedwith the cinch mechanism 31 such that the cinch mechanism 31 may notrequire the button 35 but may instead use at least one portion (e.g.,the portion 14 a, the portion 14 b, etc.) of the buttress element 14 toactuate, and compress and/or decompress, the spring 39, therebycontrolling the locking and unlocking of the cinch mechanism 31. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, at least one embodiment of theapparatus or device 40 may include a cinch mechanism 31 where the hole41 a is positioned on, and extends through, a surface or wall (e.g., theback surface or wall 33) of the cinch mechanism 31 and the hole 41 b ispositioned, and extends through, another surface or wall (e.g., thefront surface or wall 32, a top surface or wall, a bottom surface orwall, etc.) of the cinch mechanism 31. At least one portion (e.g., theportion 14 a as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B; the portion 14 b; etc.) of thebuttress element 14 may be attached to, and extend into, the body of thecinch mechanism 31, and may include a third hole 41 c on at least asection of the portion (e.g., the portion 14 a as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B;the portion 14 b; etc.) of the buttress element 14. The spring 39 may belocated between the portion (e.g., the portion 14 a as shown in FIGS.7A-7B; the portion 14 b; etc.) of the buttress element 14 and a surfaceor wall (e.g., the bottom surface or wall 34 as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B) ofthe cinch mechanism 31 such that the at least one portion (e.g., theportion 14 a as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B; the portion 14 b; etc.) of thebuttress element 14 may operate to compress and/or decompress the spring39. Thus, when all three holes 41 a, 41 b, 41 c are aligned (as bestseen in FIG. 7B), the spring 39 is compressed and the cinch mechanism 31is, therefore, in an open or unlocked position, thereby allowing theportion 3 of the tie 2 to run through, and/or be disposed in, the holes41 a, 41 b, 41 c and/or to be removed from the holes 41 a, 41 b, 14 c(e.g., after use). When the desired portion of the tie 2 (such as theportion 3 of the tie 2) is positioned properly (e.g., in a predeterminedlocation) in the cinch mechanism 31, the user 1 may release or push theat least one portion (e.g., the portion 14 a as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B;the portion 14 b; etc.) of the buttress element 14 to decompress thespring 39 such that the spring 39 causes the third hole 41 c to misalignfrom at least one of the first and second holes 41 a, 41 b (as best seenin FIG. 7A). As a result, the cinch mechanism 31 is in a closed orlocked position, thereby anchoring, securing and/or supporting a portion(e.g., the portion 3) of the tie 2 therein. Alternatively, depending onthe positioning of the hole 41 c on the at least one portion (e.g., theportion 14 a as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B; the portion 14 b; etc.) of thebuttress element 14, the locked or closed position of the cinchmechanism 31 may occur when the spring 39 is compressed (e.g., thespring 39 is locked in a compressed position), and the unlocked or openposition may occur when the spring 39 is decompressed. For example, theat least one portion of the buttress element 14 (e.g., the portion 14 aof the buttress element 14 that is disposed in the knot 4 of the tie 2,the portion 14 b, etc.) may be moved towards, and/or further into, thecinch mechanism 31 of the apparatus or device 40 (e.g., the spring 39 iscompressed) to align/misalign the three holes 41 a, 41 b, 41 c or, inone or more other embodiments, may be moved away from the cinchmechanism 31 (e.g., by using the force of the spring 39; by the user 1pulling on the at least one portion of the buttress element 14; etc.) ofthe apparatus or device 40 to align the three holes 41 a, 41 b, 41 c,depending on the location of the third hole 41 c of the at least oneportion (e.g., the portion 14 a as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B; the portion 14b; etc.) of the buttress element 14.

Additionally or alternatively, the cinch mechanism 31 may be of anygeometric shape or cross-sectional geometric shape while stillpossessing the structural attributes and features discussed herein. Forexample, as best seen in FIG. 8, a tie securing, anchoring and/orsupporting apparatus or device 80 may include the buttress element 14attached to the cinch mechanism 31, where the cinch mechanism 31 has atriangular cross-sectional shape. In such an embodiment, the first andsecond holes 41 a, 41 b may be disposed on and in communication withsurfaces 33, 32, respectively, as shown. Alternatively, the surface 33could be oriented to be parallel to surface 32 such that the cinchmechanism has a parallelogram-shaped or other geometric-shapedcross-section (e.g., the surface 33 starts a predetermined distance fromwhere the portion 14 b enters the cinch mechanism 31 and extendsparallel or substantially parallel to the surface 32 and towards thebottom surface or wall (e.g., the surface from which the spring 39extends, the wall from which the spring 39 extends, the surface or wallfrom which the stand or angled surface 82 extends, etc.) of the cinchmechanism 31 such that the bottom surface or wall of the cinch mechanism31 against which the spring 39 is disposed directly or indirectly (e.g.,a stand or angled surface 82 may be provided such that the spring 39extends between the stand or angled surface 82 and the portion of thebuttress element 14 (e.g., the portion 14 a as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B; theportion 14 b; etc.) as best seen in FIG. 8), and extends therefrom, isshorter than as shown in FIG. 8; the cinch mechanism 31 is sized andshaped such that the body thereof operates to guide the portion 14 band/or the spring 39 therein; the spring 39 and the portion 14 b of thebuttress element 14 could extend through the body of the cinch mechanism31 where the surfaces 32 and 33 would operate to guide the spring 39and/or the portion 14 b of the buttress element 14 therein; etc.). Inone or more other embodiments, the holes 41 a, 41 b may be located onone or more other surfaces of the cinch mechanism 31 while stilloperating with the structural attributes and features as discussedherein. Indeed, those skilled in the art will appreciate that thestructure and orientation of the first and second portions holes 41 a,41 b with respect to each other may be modified in various ways whileproviding the same benefits described herein. At least one portion(e.g., the portion 14 b, the portion 14 a, etc.) of the buttress element14 may operate to actuate the spring 39 by sliding in and out of thecinch mechanism 31 along an axis, L1, or along an axis that issubstantially parallel or parallel to the axis, L1 (as shown in FIG. 8).A portion (e.g., the second portion 14 b, the first portion 14 a, etc.)of the buttress element 14 may include the third hole 41 c thereon suchthat the portion (e.g., the second portion 14 b, the first portion 14 a,etc.) of the buttress element 14 operates in combination with the spring39 to lock and close, and/or unlock and open, the cinch mechanism 31 forthe user 1 to dispose the tie 2 therein and/or remove the tie 2therefrom. The apparatus or device 80 may include one or more otheractuation mechanisms as discussed herein, including, but not limited to,the spring 61 and latch 62 mechanism. Indeed, those skilled in the artwill appreciate that the structure and orientation of the cinchmechanism 31 may be modified to include any actuation mechanisms knownto those skilled in the art, such as, but not limited to, a latch-catchmechanism, a lock-unlock mechanism, a compression-decompressionmechanism, etc. while providing the cinch mechanism 31 with the same orsimilar benefits, features and/or structural attributes describedherein.

The one or more embodiments of the apparatuses or devices 10, 20, 30,40, 80, etc. may include a pin (e.g., the pin 18 as discussed above, oran additional pin extending from the apparatuses or devices 10, 20, 30,40, 80, etc.) that further secures the tie 2 (or portion (e.g., theportion 3) thereof). Preferably, the pin (e.g., the pin 18 as discussedabove, or an additional pin extending from the apparatuses or devices10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc.) mates with a pin receptacle (e.g., the pinreceptacles 16, 17 a, 17 b, or additional receptacles added tocorrespond to the additional pin extending from the apparatuses ordevices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc.) to prevent piercing/injury. Theapparatuses or devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc. may use the pin (e.g.,the pin 18 as discussed above, or an additional pin extending from theapparatuses or devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc.) and pin receptacle(e.g., the pin receptacles 16, 17 a, 17 b, or additional receptaclesadded to correspond to the additional pin extending from the apparatusesor devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc.) instead of a clip to achieve thedesired supporting, anchoring and/or securing functionality. Preferably,the pin (e.g., the pin 18 as discussed above, or an additional pinextending from the apparatuses or devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc.) isdisposed perpendicularly, transversely, substantially perpendicularlyand/or substantially transversely to at least one of the buttresselement 14, the body or flex frame 11 and the cinch mechanism 31. Thepin (e.g., the pin 18 as discussed above, or an additional pin extendingfrom the apparatuses or devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc.) may also bedisposed along an axis that is different from at least one of: thelongitudinal axis, L, of the body or flex frame 11, from a longitudinalaxis of the buttress element 14, and/or from a longitudinal axis of thecinch mechanism 31. The pin (e.g., the pin 18 as discussed above, or anadditional pin extending from the apparatuses or devices 10, 20, 30, 40,80, etc.) may be oriented towards the user 1 or away from the user 1such that the pin receptacle (e.g., the pin receptacles 16, 17 a, 17 b,or additional receptacles added to correspond to the additional pinextending from the apparatuses or devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc.) maybe placed at least one of: under one or more portions (e.g., the portion3 of the tie, the knot 4 of the tie, another portion of the tie 2, etc.)of the tie 2 of the user 1, under or through a shirt of the user 1, andon top of the tie 2 of the user 1. Preferably, the pin receptacle (e.g.,the pin receptacles 16, 17 a, 17 b, or additional receptacles added tocorrespond to the additional pin extending from the apparatuses ordevices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc.) is hidden from view.

One or more components (e.g., the body or flex frame 11, the buttresselement 14, any other components further discussed below, etc.) of theone or more embodiments of the tie securing, anchoring and/or supportingdevices discussed herein (e.g., apparatuses or devices 10, 20, 30, 40,80, etc.) may be made of inexpensive and/or lightweight components ormaterials, such as, but not limited to, one or more of the following:plastic, clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsawood, wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a soft material, a material thatoperates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer,thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede,synthetics, a substantially resilient material, a hard or rigidmaterial, metal, magnetic material, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbonfiber, and fiber.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the structure andorientation of the buttress element 14 with relation to the body or flexframe(s) 11 and/or the cinch mechanism(s) 31 discussed herein may bemodified in various ways while providing the benefits described herein.For example, the buttress element 14 may extend: (i) from one or moreother surfaces or walls of the body or flex frame(s) 11 and/or the cinchmechanism(s) 31; and/or (ii) at one or more different angles in relationto the body or flex frame(s) 11 and/or the cinch mechanism(s) 31, andthe buttress element 14 may be sized and shaped to have differentgeometric shapes, such as, but not limited to, substantially circular,circular, substantially semi-circular, semi-circular, ovular,semi-ovular, point or pointed (e.g., conical or substantially conical inshape), post-shaped, pillar-shaped, bar-shaped, spring-shaped,coil-shaped, etc., as further discussed herein.

Additionally or alternatively, one or more components of the apparatusesor devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc. (e.g., the buttress element 14; theportions 14 a, 14 b of the buttress element 14; the body or flex frame11; the portions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame 11; the one or moresurfaces 32, 33, 34, etc. of the cinch mechanism 31; the cinch mechanism31; etc) may include one or more contours, tapers, slopes, chamferedsurfaces or other shapes therein and/or thereon while still maintainingthe one or more structural attributes provided by such apparatuses ordevices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, etc. as described above. For example,depending on the type of tie being used by the user 1, the portion 14 aof the buttress element 14 may be sized and shaped differently than theportion 14 b of the buttress element 14. By way of another example, theportions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame 11 may have different sizes,shapes, contours, slopes, tapers, etc. as desired.

One or more features, elements, aspects, etc. of thedevice(s)/invention(s) (such as, but not limited to, the tie securing,anchoring and/or supporting apparatuses or devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 80,etc.) as discussed herein may be employed when practicing the method(s)of using the invention. For example, a method of using an apparatus ordevice (e.g., apparatus or device 10, 20, etc.) having a flex frame 11includes at least the steps of: (i) applying a force to a body or flexframe 11 of the apparatus or device (e.g., apparatus or device 10, 20,etc.) to open, or expand a hole of, the body or flex frame 11 apredetermined amount such that a portion (e.g., the portion 3) of thetie 2 may be disposed into the body or flex frame 11 and/or the holethereof; and (ii) releasing or removing the force placed on the body orflex frame 11 of the apparatus or device (e.g., apparatus or device 10,20, etc.) such that the resilient elasticity and/or the spring-like biasof the body or flex frame 11 and/or the portions 12, 13 of the body orflex frame 11 (which are springingly biased towards each other) operateto close, or narrow the hole of, the body or flex frame 11, therebyanchoring, securing, locking and/or supporting the portion (e.g., theportion 3) of the tie 2 in a predetermined, pre-selected position,orientation and/or configuration.

In one or more additional methods of using a tie securing, anchoringand/or supporting apparatus or device (e.g., apparatus or device 10, 20,30, 40, 80, etc.), the one or more additional methods may include thesteps of: (i) opening the body or flex frame 11 by separating at leasttwo portions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame 11; (ii) disposing aportion (e.g., the portion 3) of the tie 2 into and/or onto the body orflex frame 11 or removing the portion (e.g., the portion 3) of the tie 2from the body or flex frame 11; and (iii) closing the at least twoportions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame 11, wherein the at least twoportions 12, 13 of the body or flex frame 11 are closed by at least oneof: (i) a pin and receptacle arrangement; and (ii) one or more magneticforces drawing the at least two portions 12, 13 together.

In one or more additional methods of using a tie securing, anchoringand/or supporting apparatus or device (e.g., apparatus or device 30, 40,80, etc.) using the cinch mechanism(s) 31 as discussed herein, the oneor more additional methods may include the steps of: (i) aligning atleast two holes 41 a, 41 b to unlock and open the cinch mechanism 31;(ii) disposing a portion (e.g., the portion 3) of the tie 2 into and/orthrough the at least two holes 41 a, 41 b of the cinch mechanism 31 orremoving the portion (e.g., the portion 3) of the tie 2 from the atleast two holes 41 a, 41 b of the cinch mechanism 31; and (iii)misaligning the at least two holes 41 a, 41 b of the cinch mechanism 31to lock and close the cinch mechanism 31. The cinch mechanism 31 mayinclude at least a third hole 41 c which operates to open and unlock thecinch mechanism 31 when aligned with the at least two holes 41 a, 41 band to close and lock the cinch mechanism 31 when misaligned with atleast one of the at least two holes 41 a, 41 b. The one or moreadditional methods may further include using at least one of abutton-spring arrangement and an actuator-spring arrangement (e.g.,where one or more portions (e.g., the portion 14 a, the portion 14 b,etc.) of the buttress element 14 operate as the actuator) to align andmisalign the at least two or three holes 41 a, 41 b, 41 c.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerousmodifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that otherarrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention.

1. A tie securing, anchoring and/or supporting apparatus, comprising: abody or flex frame having a first portion with first and second endsthereof and a second portion with first and second ends thereof, thefirst end of the first portion being connected to the first end of thesecond portion, the second end of the first portion operating to bereleasably or permanently connected to the second end of the secondportion, and the first and second portions being sized and shaped todefine a hole or a zone of space therebetween, the hole or zone of spaceof the body or flex frame operating to be widened and/or opened toreceive a portion of a tie therein and to be narrowed and/or closed tohold the portion of the tie therein, and a buttress element connected toand extending from the body or flex frame, the buttress element having afirst portion and a second portion, at least one of the first portion ofthe buttress element and the second portion of the buttress elementextending from the body or flex frame, the first and second portionsbeing sized and shaped to define a zone of space therebetween andoperating to receive and hold at least a portion of a tie therein,wherein the first and second portions of the body or flex frame arespringingly biased towards each other.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein at least one of: the apparatus operates to keep the tie inposition and prevent at least one of: loosening of the tie, shifting ofthe tie, and moving of the tie; the apparatus operates to prevent a knotof the tie from loosening, slipping, and/or becoming undone; theapparatus operates to be installed or placed on the tie after the tie isplaced in a predetermined position on a user; the apparatus is disposed,or substantially disposed, on a first portion of the tie, wherein thefirst portion includes at least one of: a knot; a front portion or side;a middle portion; a back portion or side; a backside portion where thefront side of a tie may be one or more sides of the tie facing away fromthe user and the backside of the tie may be one or more sides of the tiefacing towards the user and/or located between the user and the frontside of the tie; a smaller portion of the tie as compared to otherportions of the tie; a larger portion of the tie as compared to otherportions of the tie; and a portion of the tie located between both clothportions of the tie; the apparatus further comprises a cinch mechanismhaving at least a first hole and a second hole, the cinch mechanismoperating to: (i) align and misalign the first and second holes thereof;(ii) further secure, anchor and/or support the portion of the tiedisposed in, and extending through, the first and second holes when thefirst and second holes are misaligned; and (ii) insert the portion ofthe tie into and through the first and second holes, and/or release theportion of the tie disposed in, and extending through, the first andsecond holes when the at least first and second holes are aligned; andthe apparatus further comprises a pin and pin receptacle to furtheranchor, secure, support and/or grip the tie, wherein the pin operates topierce and grip a portion of the tie.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein at least one of: the buttress element is: (i) built into, madeintegral with, and/or permanently connected to the body or flex frame;or (ii) releasably connectable to the body or flex frame; the buttresselement and the body or flex frame operates to be connected to eachother for use and then disconnected from each other after use, duringmanufacturing, for storage, and/or for shipment; the buttress elementand the body or flex frame are connected by at least one of: gluing,welding, press-fitting, riveting, bonding, fusing, adhering, molding,clamping, screwing, latching, and friction-fitting; the buttress elementincludes at least one clip or clasp or other connecting means connectedto, and extending from, a base of the buttress element or a base of atleast one of the first portion and the second portion of the buttresselement, the at least one clip or clasp or other connecting meansoperating to releasably connect the buttress element to the body or flexframe; and the other connecting means include at least one of anotherclip, another clasp, at least one screw, and at least one hook.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 3, wherein the body or flex frame is at least one of:sized and shaped to operate to receive and hold a portion of the tie inthe hole or zone of space thereof; sized and shaped to operate toreceive and hold a portion of the tie therein; substantially O or 0shaped; substantially O or 0 shaped, thereby defining the hole or thezone of space, such that any portion of the tie disposed therein isencompassed by the body or flex frame; opened and/or widened when aforce or a pressure is applied against the ends of the first and secondportions, thereby opening and/or widening the hole or the zone of spaceof the body or flex frame; opened and/or widened when a force or apressure is applied against the ends of the first and second portions,thereby opening and/or widening the hole or the zone of space of thebody or flex frame, wherein the force or the pressure is minimal and/orof a predetermined, pre-selected amount; closed and/or narrowed when theforce or the pressure is removed from the ends of the first and secondportions, thereby closing and/or narrowing the hole or the zone of spaceof the body or flex frame; and closed and/or narrowed when the force orthe pressure is removed from the ends of the first and second portions,thereby closing and/or narrowing the hole or the zone of space of thebody or flex frame, such that the body or flex frame operates to returnto its original, at-rest position, orientation and/or configuration,thereby having a resilient elasticity.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4,wherein the body or flex frame further comprises at least one of: aclip; a clip that is U, V, C, (and/or ) shaped and/or substantially U,V, C, (and/or ) shaped; a component having a spring-like bias; and atleast two components that are springingly biased towards each other. 6.The apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least one of: the springing bias ofthe first and second portions of the body or flex frame is defined andprovided by the size and shape of the first and second portions of thebody or flex frame; the springing bias of the first and second portionsof the body or flex frame is modifiable by changing the size and/orshape of the first and second portions of the body or flex frame; thefirst and second portions of the body or flex frame are U, V, C, (and/or) shaped and/or substantially U, V, C, (and/or ) shaped; the first andsecond portions of the body or flex frame are connected to each other;the first and second portions of the body or flex frame are positionedand/or connected to each other such that the connected first and secondportions have a shape that is at least one of ] [, > < and ) (; when thebody or flex frame is in its original, at-rest position, orientationand/or configuration, the body or flex frame operates, and, therefore,the first and second portions of the flex frame operate, to grip andhold the tie and/or a portion of the tie in a preselected, predeterminedposition, orientation and/or configuration; the first and secondportions of the body or flex frame are oriented and/or connected to eachother such that each has respective first or inside surfaces and secondor outside surfaces; the first or inside surfaces of the first andsecond portions of the body or flex frame substantially face each other;the first or inside surfaces of the first and second portions of thebody or flex frame define the hole or the zone of space therebetween;the second or outside surfaces of the first and second portions of thebody or flex frame substantially face away from each other; the secondor outside surfaces of the first and second portions of the body or flexframe define a perimeter of the body or flex frame; the first and secondportions of the body or flex frame extend along, substantially along,substantially parallel to, and/or parallel to a longitudinal axisextending through the apparatus; when the body or flex frame is in theoriginal, at-rest position, orientation and/or configuration, the firstor inside surfaces and at least respective sections of the second oroutside surfaces are parallel or substantially parallel to each other;the body or flex frame includes at least one of one or more elevations,one or more depressions, one or more protrusions, one or more hooks, oneor more convex contours, one or more concave contours, one or moretapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one or more chamfered surfacesto better grip, support, anchor and/or secure the tie; the at least oneof one or more elevations, one or more depressions, one or moreprotrusions, one or more hooks, one or more convex contours, one or moreconcave contours, one or more tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, andone or more chamfered surfaces are located on at least one of: at leastone of the first or inside surfaces and at least one of the second oroutside surfaces; the first and second portions of the body or flexframe have the same or substantially the same width, height and lengthor have at least one of the width, height and length thereof beingdifferent; the first and second portions of the body or flex frame arebuilt into, made integral with, and/or permanently connected to eachother or are releasably connected to each other via one or morereleasable connection means; and the releasable connection means includeat least one of: one or more hinges, one or more pin-receptaclecombinations and one or more latches.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6,wherein at least one of: the buttress element operates to preventmovement of the tie and/or to prevent the knot of the tie fromloosening; one or more portions of the knot of the tie and/or the tierest and/or are disposed in the buttress element; one or more portionsof the knot of the tie and/or the tie rest and/or are disposed in thezone of space between the first and second portions of the buttresselement; the buttress element is U or V shaped or substantially U or Vshaped; the first and second portions of the buttress element areconnected directly or indirectly to the body or flex frame and areoriented such that the first and second portions of the buttress elementdefine and form the U or V shape or the substantial U or V shape of thebuttress element; the first and second portions of the buttress elementare connected to each other and oriented such that the first and secondportions of the buttress element define and form the U or V shape or thesubstantial U or V shape of the buttress element; the buttress elementhas one of the following geometric shapes: substantially circular,circular, substantially semi-circular, semi-circular, ovular,semi-ovular, point or pointed, conical, substantially conical,post-like, pillar-like, bar-like, spring-like and coil-like; thebuttress element extends from the body or flex frame along an axis thatis a different axis than the longitudinal axis of, and/or extendingthrough, the body or flex frame; the buttress element: (i) isperpendicular, transverse, substantially perpendicular and/orsubstantially transverse to the body or flex frame; or (ii) extends fromthe body or flex frame at any other predetermined, preselected angle,the predetermined, preselected angle being at least one of: 45 degrees,60 degrees, 30 degrees, anywhere in the range of about 20 degrees toabout 85 degrees; anywhere in the range of about 0 degrees to about 85degrees, and anywhere in the range of about 0 degrees to about 180degrees; the buttress element includes at least one of one or moreelevations, one or more depressions, one or more protrusions, one ormore hooks, one or more convex contours, one or more concave contours,one or more tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one or morechamfered surfaces to better grip, support, anchor and/or secure thetie; the first portion of the buttress element includes at least onecurved portion such that the first portion of the buttress elementextends from the second portion of the buttress element for apredetermined distance and then curves and continues to extend such thatthe remainder of the first portion of the buttress element is parallelor substantially parallel to the second portion of the buttress element;the first and second portions of the buttress element have the same orsubstantially the same width, height and length or have at least one ofthe width, height and length thereof being different; and the first andsecond portions of the buttress element are built into, made integralwith, and/or permanently connected to each other or are releasablyconnected to each other via one or more releasable connection means. 8.The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one of: the body or flexframe further comprises a hinge on one end thereof and one or morereceptacles on the other end thereof; the first and second portions ofthe body or flex frame are connected at at least one of the first andsecond ends thereof by the hinge; the other of the at least one of thefirst and second ends of the first and second portions of the body orflex frame operate to be releasably connected/disconnected by apin-receptacle combination including the one or more receptacles; thepin-receptacle combination comprises: (i) one or more receptaclesdisposed at the other of the at least one of the first and second endsof the first portion or the second portion of the body or flex frame;(ii) at least one receptacle disposed at the other of the at least oneof the first and second ends of the other of the first portion or thesecond portion of the body or flex frame; and (iii) a pin that operatesto be removably disposed in the one or more receptacles and the at leastone receptacle of the body or flex frame when all of the receptacles arealigned, thereby locking, and connecting together, the other of the atleast one of the first and second ends of the first and second portionsof the body or flex frame when the pin is located in the one or morereceptacles and the at least one receptacle of the body or flex frameand thereby unlocking the other of the at least one of the first andsecond ends of the first and second portions of the body or flex framewhen the pin is removed from the one or more receptacles and the atleast one receptacle of the body or flex frame; and the pin mates withthe one or more receptacles and the at least one receptacle of the bodyor flex frame to prevent piercing or injury to the user of theapparatus.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein at least one of: thebody or flex frame further comprises a magnet to magnet or magnet tometal combination that operates to further anchor the portion of theknot of the tie and/or the tie disposed in the body or flex frame; thefirst and second portions of the body or flex frame include materialthat is attracted to each other via one or more magnetic forces; a firstmagnet is disposed on, and/or connected to, the buttress element, and asecond magnet is disposed such that one or more portions of the tie arelocated between the magnets, thereby further anchoring, supportingand/or securing the tie therebetween; the first magnet is built into,made integral with, and/or permanently connected to the buttresselement, or is connected to the buttress element using at least one of:gluing, welding, press-fitting, riveting, bonding, fusing, adhering,molding, clamping, screwing, latching, and friction-fitting; and one ormore components of the apparatus are made of at least one of: plastic,clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsa wood,wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a soft material, a material thatoperates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer,thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede,synthetics, a substantially resilient material, a hard or rigidmaterial, metal, magnetic material, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbonfiber, and fiber.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one of:the body or flex frame further comprises a hinge on at least one endthereof that operates to hold together and connect at least one of thefirst and second ends of the first and second portions of the body orflex frame; the body or flex frame further comprises a magnet to magnetor magnet to metal combination that operates to at least one of: (i)hold the first portion and the second portion of the body or flex frametogether via one or more magnetic forces; (ii) connect directly and/orindirectly, and hold together, at least one of the first and second endsof the first and second portions of the body or flex frame via one ormore magnetic forces, thereby anchoring the portion of the knot of thetie and/or the tie disposed in the body or flex frame; (iii) be openedby the application of one or more forces or pressures to the first andsecond portions of the body or flex frame; and (iv) be opened by theapplication of one or more forces or pressures to the first and secondportions of the body or flex frame, wherein the one or more forces orpressures applied to the first portion of the body or flex frame and theone or more forces or pressures applied to the second portion of thebody or flex frame are applied in substantially opposite or oppositedirections; the first and second portions of the body or flex frameinclude material that is attracted to each other via one or moremagnetic forces; the first and second portions of the body or flex frameinclude material that is attracted to each other via one or moremagnetic forces while the first and second portions of the body or flexframe retain their respective resilient flexibility and spring-likebias; at least one of the first and second portions of the body or flexframe include at least one of a magnet, magnetic metal, metals that areattracted to magnets and metals that operate to act as one or moremagnets; a first magnet is disposed on, and/or connected to, thebuttress element, and a second magnet is disposed such that one or moreportions of the tie are located between the magnets, thereby furtheranchoring, supporting and/or securing the tie therebetween; the firstmagnet is built into, made integral with, and/or permanently connectedto the buttress element, or is connected to the buttress element usingat least one of: gluing, welding, press-fitting, riveting, bonding,fusing, adhering, molding, clamping, screwing, latching, andfriction-fitting; and one or more components of the apparatus are madeof at least one of: plastic, clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam,polymer foam, balsa wood, wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a softmaterial, a material that operates to be inflated with air, textilematerial, polymer, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric,vinyl, leather, suede, synthetics, a substantially resilient material, ahard or rigid material, metal, magnetic material,polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon fiber, and fiber.
 11. A tie securing,anchoring and/or supporting apparatus, comprising: a cinch mechanismhaving at least a first hole and at least a second hole, the at leastfirst hole and the at least second hole operating to align and misalignwith each other such that when the at least first hole and the at leastsecond hole are aligned a portion of a tie may be disposed therethroughand/or removed therefrom and when the at least first hole and the atleast second hole are misaligned the at least first hole and the atleast second hole operate to hold the portion of the tie disposedtherethrough, thereby securing, anchoring and/or supporting the portionof the tie; and a buttress element connected to and extending from thecinch mechanism, the buttress element having a first portion and asecond portion, at least one of the first and second portions extendingfrom the cinch mechanism, the first and second portions being sized andshaped to define a zone of space therebetween and operating to receiveand hold at least a portion of a tie therein.
 12. The apparatus of claim11, wherein at least one of: the apparatus operates to keep the tie inposition and prevent at least one of: loosening of the tie, shifting ofthe tie, and moving of the tie; the apparatus operates to prevent a knotof the tie from loosening, slipping, and/or becoming undone; theapparatus operates to be installed or placed on the tie after the tie isplaced in a predetermined position on a user; the apparatus is disposed,or substantially disposed, on a first portion of the tie, wherein thefirst portion includes at least one of: a knot; a front portion or side;a middle portion; a back portion or side; a backside portion where thefront side of a tie may be one or more sides of the tie facing away fromthe user and the backside of the tie may be one or more sides of the tiefacing towards the user and/or located between the user and the frontside of the tie; a smaller portion of the tie as compared to otherportions of the tie; a larger portion of the tie as compared to otherportions of the tie; and a portion of the tie located between both clothportions of the tie; and the apparatus further comprises a pin and pinreceptacle to further anchor, secure, support and/or grip the tie,wherein the pin operates to pierce and grip a portion of the tie. 13.The apparatus of claim 12, wherein at least one of: the buttresselement: (i) is built into, made integral with, and/or permanentlyconnected to the cinch mechanism; (ii) is releasably connectable to thecinch mechanism, or (iii) has at least one portion that is built into,made integral with, and/or permanently connected to the cinch mechanismand at least another portion that is releasably connectable to the cinchmechanism; the buttress element and the cinch mechanism operate to beconnected to each other for use and then disconnected from each otherafter use, during manufacturing, for storage, and/or for shipment; thebuttress element and the cinch mechanism are connected by at least oneof: gluing, welding, press-fitting, riveting, bonding, fusing, adhering,molding, clamping, screwing, latching, and friction-fitting; thebuttress element includes at least one clip or clasp or other connectingmeans connected to, and extending from, a base of the buttress elementor a base of at least one of the first portion and the second portion ofthe buttress element, the at least one clip or clasp or other connectingmeans operating to releasably connect the buttress element or a leastone of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress elementto the cinch mechanism; and the other connecting means include at leastone of another clip, another clasp, at least one screw, and at least onehook.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the cinch mechanism atleast one of: is sized and shaped to operate to receive and hold aportion of the tie in the at least first hole and the at least secondhole thereof; is sized and shaped to operate to receive and hold aportion of the tie therein and/or therethrough; has one or more surfacesor walls defining an interior zone of space, such that any portion ofthe tie disposed therein is encompassed by the cinch mechanism or islocated in the interior zone of space of the cinch mechanism; furthercomprises at least one spring and at least one button or actuationelement, the at least one button or actuation element operating tocompress and/or decompress the spring and including at least one of theat least first hole and the at least second hole of the cinch mechanismsuch that the compression and/or the decompression of the springoperates to align and/or misalign the at least first hole and the atleast second hole; is opened and/or has its at least first hole and atleast second hole aligned when a force or a pressure is applied to theat least one button or actuation element, thereby compressing and/ordecompressing the spring; is opened and/or has the at least first holeand the at least second hole thereof aligned when a force or a pressureis applied to the at least one button or actuation element, therebycompressing and/or decompressing the spring, wherein the force or thepressure is minimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount; isclosed and/or has the at least first hole and the at least second holethereof misaligned when a force or a pressure is applied to, or removedfrom, the at least one button or actuation element, thereby compressingand/or decompressing the spring; and is closed and/or has the at leastfirst hole and the at least second hole thereof misaligned when a forceor a pressure is applied to, or removed from, the at least one button oractuation element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring,wherein the force or the pressure is minimal and/or of a predetermined,pre-selected amount.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least oneof: the at least first hole and the at least second hole are positionedon the cinch mechanism such that at least an axis, a line or a planepasses therethrough and/or the at least first hole and the at leastsecond hole are co-linear and/or co-planar; at least one of the at leastfirst hole and the at least second hole is disposed on and incommunication with one or more surfaces or walls of the cinch mechanism;the at least first hole is disposed on and in communication with one ormore surfaces or walls of the cinch mechanism and the at least secondhole is disposed on and in communication with one or more other surfacesor walls of the cinch mechanism; one of the at least first hole and theat least second hole is disposed on and in communication with one ormore surfaces or walls of the cinch mechanism and the other of the atleast first hole and the at least second hole is disposed on and incommunication with the button or actuation element of the cinchmechanism; the geometry of at least one cross-section of the cinchmechanism is at least one of: triangular, substantially triangular,rectangular, substantially rectangular, square-shaped, substantiallysquare-shaped, parallelogram-shaped, substantially parallelogram-shaped,conical, substantially conical, cylindrical, substantially cylindrical,pentagonal and substantially pentagonal; the cinch mechanism includes atleast one of one or more elevations, one or more depressions, one ormore protrusions, one or more hooks, one or more convex contours, one ormore concave contours, one or more tapers, one or more sloped surfaces,and one or more chamfered surfaces to better grip, secure, anchor and/orsupport the tie; the at least one of one or more elevations, one or moredepressions, one or more protrusions, one or more hooks, one or moreconvex contours, one or more concave contours, one or more tapers, oneor more sloped surfaces, and one or more chamfered surfaces are locatedon and/or in communication with at least one of: the at least first holeof the cinch mechanism, the at least second hole of the cinch mechanismand the one or more surfaces or walls of the cinch mechanism; and the atleast first hole and the at least second hole have the same orsubstantially the same radius, diameter and circumference or have atleast one of the radius, diameter and circumference thereof beingdifferent.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein at least one of: thebuttress element operates to prevent movement of the tie and/or toprevent the knot of the tie from loosening; one or more portions of theknot of the tie and/or the tie rest and/or are disposed in the buttresselement; one or more portions of the knot of the tie and/or the tie restand/or are disposed in the zone of space between the first and secondportions of the buttress element; the buttress element is U or V shapedor substantially U or V shaped; the first and second portions of thebuttress element are connected directly or indirectly to the cinchmechanism and are oriented such that the first and second portions ofthe buttress element define and form the U or V shape or the substantialU or V shape of the buttress element; the first and second portions ofthe buttress element are connected to each other and oriented such thatthe first and second portions of the buttress element define and formthe U or V shape or the substantial U or V shape of the buttresselement; the buttress element has one of the following geometric shapes:substantially circular, circular, substantially semi-circular,semi-circular, ovular, semi-ovular, point or pointed, conical,substantially conical, post-like, pillar-like, bar-like, spring-like andcoil-like; the buttress element extends from the cinch mechanism alongan axis that is a different axis than the longitudinal axis of, and/orextending through, the cinch mechanism; the buttress element: (i) isperpendicular, transverse, substantially perpendicular and/orsubstantially transverse to the cinch mechanism; or (ii) extends fromthe cinch mechanism at any other predetermined, preselected angle, thepredetermined, preselected angle being at least one of: 45 degrees, 60degrees, 30 degrees, anywhere in the range of about 20 degrees to about85 degrees; anywhere in the range of about 0 degrees to about 85degrees, and anywhere in the range of about 0 degrees to about 180degrees; the buttress element includes at least one of one or moreelevations, one or more depressions, one or more protrusions, one ormore hooks, one or more convex contours, one or more concave contours,one or more tapers, one or more sloped surfaces, and one or morechamfered surfaces to better grip, secure, anchor and/or support thetie; the first portion of the buttress element includes at least onecurved portion such that the first portion of the buttress elementextends from the second portion of the buttress element for apredetermined distance and then curves and continues to extend such thatthe remainder of the first portion of the buttress element is parallelor substantially parallel to the second portion of the buttress element;the first and second portions of the buttress element have the same orsubstantially the same width, height and length or have at least one ofthe width, height and length thereof being different; and the first andsecond portions of the buttress element are built into, made integralwith, and/or permanently connected to each other or are releasablyconnected to each other via one or more releasable connection means. 17.The apparatus of claim 16, wherein at least one of: the at least onebutton or actuation element comprises at least one of the first portionand the second portion of the buttress element; the buttress element andthe cinch mechanism are integrated such that the at least one portion ofthe first portion and the second portion of the buttress elementoperates to compress and/or decompress the spring and to align and/ormisalign the at least first hole and the at least second hole of thecinch mechanism; the cinch mechanism is opened and/or has its at leastfirst hole and at least second hole aligned when a force or a pressureis applied to the at least one of the first portion and the secondportion of the buttress element, thereby compressing and/ordecompressing the spring; the cinch mechanism is opened and/or has theat least first hole and the at least second hole thereof aligned when aforce or a pressure is applied to the at least one of the first portionand the second portion of the buttress element, thereby compressingand/or decompressing the spring, wherein the force or the pressure isminimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount; the cinchmechanism is closed and/or has the at least first hole and the at leastsecond hole thereof misaligned when a force or a pressure is applied to,or removed from, the at least one of the first portion and the secondportion of the buttress element, thereby compressing and/ordecompressing the spring; and the cinch mechanism is closed and/or hasthe at least first hole and the at least second hole thereof misalignedwhen a force or a pressure is applied to, or removed from, the at leastone of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element,thereby compressing and/or decompressing the spring, wherein the forceor the pressure is minimal and/or of a predetermined, pre-selectedamount.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least one of: when theat least first hole of the cinch mechanism is disposed on and incommunication with a surface or wall of the cinch mechanism and the atleast second hole of the cinch mechanism is disposed on and incommunication with another surface or wall of the cinch mechanism, atleast one of the at least one button, actuation element and the at leastone of the first portion and the second portion of the buttress elementincludes at least a third hole of the cinch mechanism; the at leastthird hole of the cinch mechanism operates to be aligned and/ormisaligned with the at least first hole and the at least second hole ofthe cinch mechanism, thereby locking the cinch mechanism when one ormore of the three holes are misaligned and unlocking the cinch mechanismwhen all three holes of the cinch mechanism are aligned; the cinchmechanism is opened and/or has the at least first hole, the at leastsecond hole and the at least third hole aligned when a force or apressure is applied to the at least one of the first portion and thesecond portion of the buttress element, thereby compressing and/ordecompressing the spring and aligning the at least third hole with theat least first hole and the at least second hole; the cinch mechanism isopened and/or has the at least first hole, the at least second hole andthe at least third hole aligned when a force or a pressure is applied tothe at least one of the first portion and the second portion of thebuttress element, thereby compressing and/or decompressing the springand aligning the at least third hole with the at least first hole andthe at least second hole, wherein the force or the pressure is minimaland/or of a predetermined, pre-selected amount; the cinch mechanism isclosed and/or has at least two of the at least first hole, the at leastsecond hole and the at least third hole thereof misaligned when a forceor a pressure is applied to, or removed from, the at least one of thefirst portion and the second portion of the buttress element, therebycompressing and/or decompressing the spring and misaligning the at leastthird hole with at least one of the at least first hole and the at leastsecond hole; and the cinch mechanism is closed and/or has at least twoof the at least first hole, the at least second hole and the at leastthird hole thereof misaligned when a force or a pressure is applied to,or removed from, the at least one of the first portion and the secondportion of the buttress element, thereby compressing and/ordecompressing the spring and misaligning the at least third hole with atleast one of the at least first hole and the at least second hole,wherein the force or the pressure is minimal and/or of a predetermined,pre-selected amount.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein at least oneof: the cinch mechanism is: (i) locked when the spring is compressed andunlocked when the spring is decompressed; or (ii) unlocked when thespring is decompressed and locked when the spring is compressed; whenthe spring is decompressed and the hole of at least one of the at leastfirst hole, the at least second hole and the at least third hole that isdisposed on and in communication with the button, actuation elementand/or the at least one of the first portion and the second portion ofthe buttress element is positioned closer to the zone of space of thebuttress element than the other two holes of the at least one of the atleast first hole, the at least second hole and the at least third hole,then the cinch mechanism is locked when the spring is decompressed andis unlocked when the spring is compressed; when the spring is compressedand the hole of at least one of the at least first hole, the at leastsecond hole and the at least third hole that is disposed on and incommunication with the button, actuation element and/or the at least oneof the first portion and the second portion of the buttress element ispositioned further away from the zone of space of the buttress elementthan the other two holes of the at least one of the at least first hole,the at least second hole and the at least third hole, then the cinchmechanism is unlocked when the spring is decompressed and is locked whenthe spring is compressed; the button or actuation element extendsthrough a first or front wall or surface of the cinch mechanism and thespring extends from a second or back wall or surface of the cinchmechanism; the cinch mechanism further comprises a second spring and alatch mechanism that operates to slide towards the spring, therebylocking the spring in a compressed position, and to slide away from thespring, thereby unlocking the spring from its compressed position; thelatch mechanism includes a curved, sloped, tapered and/or chamferedsurface such that, when the at least one of the button, the actuationelement and the at least one of the first portion and the second portionof the buttress element slides along the curved, sloped, tapered and/orchamfered surface of the latch mechanism, the latch mechanism is pushedaway from the spring such that the second spring becomes compressed,thereby unlocking the spring from its compressed position; the cinchmechanism further comprises at least one of: (i) one or more tracks, oneor more rails and/or one or more guideposts that operate to guide the atleast one of the button, the actuation element and the at least one ofthe first portion and the second portion of the buttress element in thecinch mechanism; (ii) one or more tracks, one or more rails and/or oneor more guideposts that operate to guide the second spring and/or thelatch mechanism in the cinch mechanism; and (iii) one or more tracks,one or more rails and/or one or more guideposts that operate to guidethe spring in the cinch mechanism; the second spring and the latchmechanism operate to be locked in, and released from a compressedposition, thereby allowing the user of the apparatus to control when theapparatus is opened and closed; the cinch mechanism is sized and shapedto operate to guide at least one of the spring and the at least one ofthe button, the actuation element and the at least one of the firstportion and the second portion of the buttress element therein; and oneor more components of the apparatus are made of at least one of:plastic, clear plastic, polyurethane polymer, foam, polymer foam, balsawood, wood, rubber, hard rubber, cork, a soft material, a material thatoperates to be inflated with air, textile material, polymer,thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, cloth fabric, vinyl, leather, suede,synthetics, a substantially resilient material, a hard or rigidmaterial, metal, magnetic material, polytetrafluoroethylene, carbonfiber, and fiber.
 20. A method of using at least one tie securing,anchoring and/or supporting apparatus or device, comprising: (i)applying a force to a body or flex frame of the at least one apparatusor device to open, or expand a hole of, the body or flex frame apredetermined amount; (ii) positioning and/or placing a portion of a tieinto and/or onto the body or flex frame and/or the hole thereof orremoving the portion of the tie from the body or flex frame and/or thehole thereof; and (iii) releasing or removing the force placed on thebody or flex frame of the apparatus or device such that the resilientelasticity and/or the spring-like bias of the body or flex frame and/orthe portions of the body or flex frame, the portions of the body or flexframe being springingly biased towards each other, operate to close,and/or narrow the hole of, the body or flex frame and/or anchor, secure,lock and/or support the portion of the tie in a predetermined,pre-selected position, orientation and/or configuration.
 21. The methodof claim 20, wherein at least one of: (i) the applying step furthercomprises opening the body or flex frame by separating at least twoportions of the body or flex frame; and (ii) the releasing or removingof the force step further comprises closing the at least two portions ofthe body or flex frame, wherein the at least two portions of the body orflex frame are closed by at least one of: (a) a pin and receptaclearrangement; and (b) one or more magnetic forces drawing the at leasttwo portions together.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprisingpositioning at least a portion of the tie and/or a knot of the tie in abuttress element, the buttress element being connected to, and extendingfrom the body or flex frame, thereby further anchoring, securing,locking and/or supporting the portion of the tie and/or the knot of thetie in a predetermined, pre-selected position, orientation and/orconfiguration and/or preventing the knot from loosening.
 23. A method ofusing at least one tie securing, anchoring and/or supporting apparatusor device, comprising: (i) aligning at least two holes of a cinchmechanism of the at least one apparatus or device to open and unlock thecinch mechanism; (ii) positioning and/or placing a portion of a tie intoand/or onto the cinch mechanism and/or the at least two holes thereof orremoving the portion of the tie from the cinch mechanism and/or the atleast two holes thereof; and (iii) misaligning the at least two holes ofthe cinch mechanism to close and lock the cinch mechanism and/or anchor,secure, lock and/or support the portion of the tie in a predetermined,pre-selected position, orientation and/or configuration.
 24. The methodof claim 23, further comprising positioning at least a portion of thetie and/or a knot of the tie in a buttress element, the buttress elementbeing connected to, and extending from the cinch mechanism, therebyfurther anchoring, securing, locking and/or supporting the portion ofthe tie and/or the knot of the tie in a predetermined, pre-selectedposition, orientation and/or configuration and/or preventing the knotfrom loosening.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein: (i) the at leasttwo holes comprise at least three holes; (ii) the alignment step furthercomprises aligning the at least three holes; and (iii) the misalignmentstep further comprises misaligning at least two of the at least threeholes.